whats the difference

pipeliner

hi all, could some one tell me what is the difference between a falcon and a hawk. Is there any way to tell which one is which?

blinkey 101

A falcon has a notch on their beak that is used for breaking the neck of their prey, and the hawk's beak has a simpler, smoother curve and they typically use their talons on their feet to kill their prey. The peregrine falcon is one of the fastest animals in the world, flying up to 200 mph in a dive, while hawks are typically much slower and prefer to glide with much slower of a stroke. Hawks tend to be larger than most falcons. Falcons have long wings, hawk's wings are generally shorter. Many species of both hawk and falcon are endangered.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_a_falcon_and_a_hawk

pipeliner

thanks blinkey. I am very interested in all birds of prey and this was one thing that was bugging me.

marlin vs

Easiest way to identify one from the other at a distence, hawk's have broad rounded wing's whereas falcon's have pointed wing's.

jmkennedyie

pipeliner, you probably know already, but in case others are interested typical Falcons seen in Ireland are

• Kestrel (hovering, countryside),
• Peregrine Falcon (dive bombing, screaming, cliffs)
• Merlin (small, chasing, bogs/uplands)

Hawks

• Just the Sparrowhawk I guess (low and fast, ambushing along a hedgerow)

Other birds of prey seen in Ireland...

• Hen Harrier (quartering over bogs/fields/forestry edges)
• Buzzard (enormous, soaring, sitting, lots of great pics on this forum)

Recently reintroduced

• Golden Eagle (Donegal)
• White Tailed Sea Eagle (Kerry)
• Red Kite (Wicklow)

Occasional visitors...
Hobby, Osprey, Black Kite, Gyrfalcon, Goshawk ...

And then there are the owls...Long-eared owl, Barn owl and occasional wintering Short-eared owl.

blinkey 101

your welcome pipeliner anytime
have a look at this link http://www.irishfieldsports.com/raptors/