As a bird enthusiast, being able to identify birds of prey accurately is an important skill. Two common raptors that are often confused are hawks and owls. At first glance, it can be tricky to tell them apart when seeing one briefly overhead or at a distance. However, with some key identification tips, you can learn to distinguish a hawk from an owl.
What are the main differences between hawks and owls?
There are several physical and behavioral differences between hawks and owls that can help with identification:
- Shape – Hawks have broad, rounded wings and a short, fan-shaped tail. Owls have longer, narrower wings and a longer, rounded tail.
- Flight – Hawks soar and glide frequently, holding their wings in a shallow V shape. Owls have more direct, flapping flight with deeper wing beats.
- Feathers – Hawks have smooth feathers that allow air to pass through easily. Owl feathers have soft, fringe-like edges for silent flight.
- Eyes – Hawks have eyes on the sides of their heads. Owls have large, forward-facing eyes.
- Activity – Hawks are diurnal, most active during the day. Owls are nocturnal, most active at night.
- Beak – Hawks have curved, notched beaks used for tearing prey. Owls have hooked upper beaks used for tearing prey.
- Talons – Hawks have 3 talons facing forward and 1 talon facing back. Owls have 2 forward-facing and 2 back-facing talons.
What does a hawk look like?
Here are some key identification features of hawks:
- Broad, rounded wings
- Fan-shaped tail
- Smooth feathers
- Eyes on sides of head
- Curved, hooked beak
- 3 front-facing talons, 1 back-facing
- Often soaring or gliding in flight
Hawks come in a variety of sizes and colors. Some common hawk species include:
- Red-tailed hawk – Large, stocky, brown back, light belly, reddish tail
- Cooper’s hawk – Medium-sized, blue-gray back, reddish barred underparts
- Sharp-shinned hawk – Small, blue-gray back, reddish barred underparts
- Northern harrier – Slender, owl-like face, white rump patch
- Northern goshawk – Large, gray back, barred underparts, white eye stripe
- Red-shouldered hawk – Medium-sized, checkered black and white wing pattern
- Broad-winged hawk – Small, brown back, barred underparts, dark wing edges
- Rough-legged hawk – Large, long wings, white base to tail, hovers frequently
What does an owl look like?
Here are some key identification features of owls:
- Long, rounded wings
- Long, rounded tail
- Soft, fringed feathers
- Large, forward-facing eyes
- Hooked upper beak
- 2 front-facing and 2 back-facing talons
- Direct, flapping flight
Some common owl species include:
- Great horned owl – Large, mottled gray-brown, ear tufts, yellow eyes
- Barred owl – Gray-brown, streaked breast, dark eyes, no ear tufts
- Short-eared owl – Tan, streaked breast, prominent facial disk, no ear tufts
- Long-eared owl – Pale brown, dark streaks, prominent ear tufts
- Eastern screech owl – Small, gray with reddish accents, prominent ear tufts
- Great gray owl – Very large, gray with intricate patterns, yellow eyes
- Northern saw-whet owl – Small, brown, white facial disk, no ear tufts
- Barn owl – Pale with white heart-shaped face, dark eyes
How can you tell a hawk vs an owl in flight?
Here are some ways to distinguish a hawk from an owl based on flight:
- Hawks glide frequently, holding wings in a shallow V shape
- Owls have more direct, flapping flight with deep wing beats
- Hawks have broader, shorter, more rounded wings
- Owls have longer, narrower wings
- Hawks have a short, fan-shaped tail
- Owls have a longer, rounded tail
- Hawks are more likely to be seen during the day
- Owls are most active at night
Watching the bird’s flight style is often the easiest way to determine if you’re looking at a hawk or an owl, especially at a distance. With practice, the different wing and tail shapes become more recognizable.
What habitats and ranges are typical for hawks vs owls?
Hawks and owls occupy different habitats and geographic ranges, which can aid in identification:
- Hawks are found in more open habitats like grasslands, meadows, farmland, and woodland edges.
- Owls frequent more densely wooded areas like mature forests and swamps.
- Some hawk species are widespread across North America, while others concentrate in certain regions.
- Most owl species have more restricted ranges confined to certain habitat types.
Knowing whether a bird is within the expected range and habitat for local hawk or owl species can provide helpful clues. For example, a large owl in open grassland is more likely to be a hawk.
Can you provide examples of some common hawk and owl calls?
Here are descriptions of some typical vocalizations to listen for:
Hawk calls:
- High, whistling “kreee” – Broad-winged hawk, red-shouldered hawk
- Loud, raspy “kree-eee-ar” – Red-tailed hawk
- Rapid “kik-kik-kik” – Cooper’s hawk, sharp-shinned hawk
- High-pitched squeal – Northern harrier (often in a dive)
- Rapid clicking – Northern goshawk
Owl calls:
- Deep, booming “hoo-hoo-hoo” – Great horned owl
- Ascending hoots – Barred owl (“who cooks for you”)
- Dog-like barking – Short-eared owl
- Whistling duet – Eastern screech owl
- Tremolo call – Great gray owl
- Whistled “toot toot” – Saw-whet owl
- Hissing, screeching – Barn owl
Distinguishing hawk calls from owl vocalizations takes practice. Listening to recordings can help train your ear.
How can you identify a hawk or owl if you see one perched?
If you spot a raptor perched, look for these identification features:
Hawk perched:
- Oval body shape
- Broad chest
- Fanned tail
- Yellow legs/feet with talons
- Eyes on sides of head
Owl perched:
- Round, barrel-shaped body
- Fluffed-up feathers
- Longer tail
- Hidden legs/feet
- Forward-facing eyes
The body and facial shapes are very different between hawks and owls when seen up-close. Hawks appear leaner with distinctive yellow feet. Owls are rounder and fluffier with hidden feet.
What are some behaviors that can help distinguish hawks and owls?
In addition to physical features, behavior can aid identification:
- Hawks often soar high on thermals looking for prey.
- Owls sit still on perches listening for prey.
- Hawks may swoop down quickly to grab prey on the ground.
- Owls pounce on prey from perches or fly low over ground.
- Hawks feed during day, especially around dawn and dusk.
- Owls are nocturnal, feeding at night.
Paying attention to how the bird flies, perches, and hunts can reveal if you’re watching typical hawk or owl behavior. This works best if you can observe the bird for a longer period.
What are some tips for hawk and owl identification?
Here are some useful hawk and owl ID tips to remember:
- Note overall shape – Hawks have broader wings and bodies.
- Watch flight style – Hawks glide more, owls make deeper wing beats.
- Check activity pattern – Hawks are diurnal, owls nocturnal.
- Listen for vocalizations – Hawks screech and whistle, owls hoot and bark.
- Pay attention to habitat – Hawks prefer open areas, owls wooded areas.
- Look for key field marks – Facial disk on owls, reddish tails on some hawks.
- Observe behavior – Hawks soar and swoop, owls perch and pounce.
With practice, you’ll learn to recognize the signature silhouettes, flight patterns, sounds, behaviors, and habitats of these two raptor groups.
Conclusion
Distinguishing hawks from owls is a useful identification skill for any birder to develop. Focusing on key differences in shape, flight style, activity time, vocals, habitat, and behavior will help you tell them apart. Look and listen for the hawk’s broad wings, whistles and screeches, diurnal activity, open habitat perches, and graceful soaring. For the owl, note the rounded head and wings, rhythmic deep beats, nocturnal schedule, wooded roosts, and hoots and barks. With field experience and the right tips, you’ll soon be able to confidently determine “hawk or owl?”
