Kestrels and hawks are both birds of prey. Many people often confuse these raptors, wondering if a kestrel is simply a type of hawk. Understanding their distinct biological classifications and observable characteristics helps clarify this common misconception.
Understanding Kestrels
Kestrels are small, slender raptors with pointed wings and long tails. They exhibit a distinctive hunting behavior known as kiting or hovering, where they hang almost motionless in the air, often flapping their wings rapidly, while scanning the ground below for prey. The American Kestrel, for example, is North America’s smallest falcon, measuring 8.7 to 12.2 inches and with a wingspan of 20 to 24 inches.
These agile birds inhabit open country, grasslands, deserts, and agricultural fields. Their diet includes large insects (e.g., grasshoppers, crickets), and also small rodents, lizards, and small birds. Kestrels capture prey by dropping from a perch or diving from a hover, using their sharp talons.
Understanding Hawks
Hawks have a more robust, stockier build with broader, more rounded wings and shorter, wider tails. They exhibit soaring flight patterns on thermal air currents with minimal wing flapping. Common species include the Red-tailed Hawk, measuring 17.7 to 25.6 inches and with a wingspan of 44.9 to 52.4 inches, and the Cooper’s Hawk, known for its agile flight through woodlands.
Hawks occupy various habitats, from dense forests to open woodlands, grasslands, and urban areas. Their diet is varied, including small to medium-sized mammals like squirrels and rabbits, and various bird species. Hawks hunt by perching and waiting for prey, then launching a direct attack, or by cruising at lower altitudes to surprise their quarry.
The Falcon and Hawk Families
The difference between kestrels and hawks lies in their scientific classification, as they belong to two distinct biological families. Kestrels are members of the family Falconidae, commonly known as falcons. This family includes various falcons and caracaras, sharing traits and structures.
Hawks, including species like the Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper’s Hawk, belong to the family Accipitridae. This diverse family also encompasses eagles, kites, and Old World vultures, with a common ancestry distinct from falcons. Despite similar predatory roles, the genetic and morphological differences between Falconidae and Accipitridae are distinct, placing them in separate evolutionary lineages.
Telling Kestrels and Hawks Apart
Distinguishing kestrels from hawks involves observing several physical and behavioral characteristics. One visual cue is wing shape: kestrels possess long, pointed wings appearing swept back in flight, whereas hawks exhibit broader, more rounded wings. Their flight styles also differ; kestrels use rapid wingbeats and hovering (kiting), while hawks are often seen soaring in wide circles on thermals.
Body proportions offer another clue: kestrels are streamlined and slender with a smaller head, while hawks are stockier with a larger head. Their hunting methods also vary; kestrels dive from a hover or a high perch, while hawks often pounce from a perch or glide through vegetation to ambush prey. Although size can be an indicator, relying on flight dynamics and body shape is more precise.