Hawks and eagles are both members of the order Accipitriformes, commonly referred to as raptors or birds of prey. They share a common evolutionary lineage. The question of whether these powerful birds “get along” in the wild is not a matter of friendship, but rather an examination of their competitive ecological relationship. Their interactions are complex, dictated by overlapping territories, resource availability, and a significant difference in size and strength. The reality of their coexistence is characterized by avoidance, dominance, and specific observable conflicts.
Shared Habitats and Resource Competition
Eagles and hawks often inhabit the same general geographical range, leading to an overlap in their daily activities and resource needs. Both raptor groups require reliable food sources and secure nesting locations, which creates a foundation for potential competition. The prey base is the most common point of ecological friction, particularly between smaller eagle species or juvenile eagles and larger, bulkier hawks like the Red-tailed Hawk. While eagles generally focus on larger prey like fish and medium-sized mammals, and hawks target smaller mammals, birds, and reptiles, their diets can converge when local food is scarce.
Competition also extends to prime nesting sites, such as tall, sturdy trees or remote cliff faces that offer an unobstructed view and protection from ground predators. A large raptor pair, especially an eagle, may usurp a previously occupied hawk nest or prevent a hawk pair from establishing a territory in a preferred area. The presence of one species can thus indirectly limit the reproductive success of the other simply by occupying the most desirable real estate.
The Power Dynamic: Size and Dominance
The fundamental nature of the hawk-eagle relationship is determined by a pronounced asymmetry in size and physical power, with eagles holding a distinct advantage. Eagles are typically much larger than even the biggest hawks, possessing heavier bodies, longer wingspans, and more massive feet. This disparity translates into superior strength, allowing large species like the Bald Eagle or Golden Eagle to exert a grip force estimated to be around 400 pounds per square inch (psi), double the approximately 200 psi exerted by a Red-tailed Hawk.
This difference establishes a clear dominance hierarchy, meaning eagles rarely view hawks as true rivals for territory or food. A hawk’s primary response to an eagle is typically avoidance, as engaging a much larger raptor carries a significant risk of injury or death. However, this dynamic is not absolute, as the largest hawk, the Ferruginous Hawk, can sometimes rival the size of the smallest eagle species. Despite these exceptions, a hawk only initiates a direct conflict when defending its nest, young, or an immediate food source.
Observed Inter-Raptor Behaviors
Ornithologists frequently observe two specific, direct actions that define the conflict between hawks and eagles: kleptoparasitism and mobbing. Kleptoparasitism, or piracy, is the act of stealing prey that another bird has already captured, a behavior commonly practiced by larger eagles. Bald Eagles, for example, are well-documented for harassing smaller raptors, including Northern Harriers and Red-tailed Hawks, compelling them to drop their catch in mid-air for the eagle to retrieve. This theft saves the eagle the energy of hunting and is a clear assertion of dominance.
Conversely, mobbing involves smaller hawks aggressively harassing a larger eagle to drive it out of a specific area, often a hunting ground or nesting territory. Red-tailed Hawks are a common example, repeatedly diving and swooping at a soaring Golden Eagle to chase it away. Although the mobbing hawk may appear to attack, the intent is usually to annoy and intimidate the larger bird into leaving, rather than inflicting serious injury. The eagle, being slower and less maneuverable, often chooses to depart.