Falcons and hawks are both birds of prey, or raptors, sharing powerful talons, hooked beaks, and exceptional eyesight. Despite these similarities, they belong to different evolutionary families, Falconidae and Accipitridae. The question of whether a falcon will eat a hawk is complex, though it is generally rare. Predation can occur, but it depends on the relative size, species, and vulnerability of the birds involved.
Predation Dynamics Between Falcons and Hawks
Direct predation of a healthy, adult hawk by a falcon is extremely uncommon in the wild. Raptors generally avoid attacking other similarly-sized predators because the risk of injury from the prey’s talons or beak is too high. Such injuries could prevent the attacker from hunting, leading to starvation, meaning the danger usually outweighs the nutritional reward.
Predation that does happen is typically opportunistic and involves a significant size mismatch. Larger, more powerful falcons, such as the Peregrine or Gyrfalcon, may sometimes target smaller hawk species like the American Kestrel or Sharp-shinned Hawk. These smaller hawks may be attacked if they are weakened, injured, or if the falcon perceives an easy meal that minimizes risk.
The majority of documented aggressive encounters are not predatory acts aimed at consumption, but rather inter-species aggression. A falcon may strike a hawk to defend its nesting territory or a valuable food source, a behavior known as kleptoparasitism. These strikes are intended to injure or displace the competitor, not to secure a meal, which is why the hawk is rarely consumed even after being hit.
The most vulnerable targets are hawk nestlings or recently fledged juveniles. A large falcon may prey on a young hawk that is still clumsy in flight or unguarded in the nest, as this presents little danger to the attacker. This predation on young birds is a natural part of the ecosystem, but it does not represent a pattern of one group systematically hunting the other as a primary food source.
Contrasting Hunting Methods and Typical Diets
The distinct evolutionary paths of falcons and hawks explain why they rarely cross paths in a predatory manner. Falcons are built for speed and high-velocity aerial pursuit, characterized by long, pointed wings that facilitate rapid flight and the hunting dive known as the “stoop.” A Peregrine Falcon specializes in catching other birds mid-air, with avian prey making up the majority of its diet.
Falcons possess a unique anatomical feature called a tomial tooth, a notch on the side of the beak used to quickly sever the spinal cord of their prey. This adaptation is suited for dispatching small-to-medium-sized birds caught during high-speed chases. Their strategy relies on open-air agility and a swift, decisive kill once contact is made.
Hawks belong to a more diverse family and employ a broader range of hunting strategies. Buteo hawks, such as the Red-tailed Hawk, have broad, rounded wings suited for soaring and gliding, often hunting by perching high and scanning the ground. Their diet typically centers on small mammals like rodents and rabbits, which they capture with powerful talons designed to crush and immobilize terrestrial prey.
Accipiter hawks, including the Cooper’s Hawk, are bird specialists like falcons, but they hunt with a different technique. They have shorter, rounded wings and long tails that allow for bursts of speed and precise maneuverability within dense forest cover. Their hunting relies on ambush and agility through cluttered environments, contrasting sharply with the open-sky tactics of the falcon.
Territorial Disputes and Resource Competition
Aggressive interactions between falcons and hawks are frequently driven by competition for resources, particularly nesting sites and shared food sources. Both raptor groups seek high vantage points for nesting, such as cliff faces or tall urban structures, leading to direct conflict when territories overlap. This competition is pronounced during the breeding season.
Falcons, being faster and more aggressive in the air, often engage in “mobbing” behavior, diving repeatedly at a larger hawk to drive it out of the area. A Peregrine Falcon may use its superior speed to displace a Red-tailed Hawk from a hunting ground or a preferred perch. These aerial dogfights are intense but are a form of resource defense, not a prelude to feeding.
The competition extends to shared prey. If a Red-tailed Hawk successfully kills a rodent, a nearby falcon may harass the hawk to force it to drop the meal, a common form of kleptoparasitism among raptors. While the interaction is hostile, the falcon is interested in the prey, not the hawk itself.