Hawks do prey on falcons, but this is not a primary food source. This predatory act is rare and generally opportunistic, occurring when a larger, more powerful hawk targets a smaller or juvenile falcon. The dynamic between these two groups of raptors is complex, involving direct predation and intense competition for territory and food resources. Understanding their physical and behavioral differences explains why the hawk is typically the aggressor in these infrequent encounters.
Defining the Difference: Hawks vs. Falcons
Hawks and falcons are both birds of prey, but they belong to distinct taxonomic families, resulting in different body plans and hunting styles. Hawks are part of the family Accipitridae, which includes eagles and kites. They are characterized by broader, rounded wings and robust bodies. These adaptations allow hawks like Buteos (e.g., Red-tailed Hawks) to be efficient soarers, spotting prey from a distance before capturing it on the ground. Accipiters (e.g., Cooper’s Hawks) use shorter, rounded wings and long tails for high maneuverability in dense forests.
Falcons, belonging to the family Falconidae, have a different build, featuring long, narrow, and pointed wings for incredible speed and aerial agility. They are built to hunt in open air, often executing a high-speed dive called a “stoop.” The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest animal on Earth during this maneuver. A key physical difference is the falcon’s specialized beak, which features a tomial tooth—a notch used to quickly sever the spinal cord of their prey. Hawks lack this feature and rely on powerful talons to kill their catch.
Predatory Dynamics: When Hawks Target Falcons
Predation of falcons by hawks is unidirectional; larger, bulkier hawk species occasionally consume falcons. This is a matter of size, strength, and opportunistic hunting, not a regular dietary requirement. Larger Accipiters, such as the Northern Goshawk, are known for aggressively hunting other birds. They may opportunistically take smaller falcons, like the American Kestrel. The Goshawk’s diet of birds and mammals makes it a bold predator that will engage other raptors.
Most documented predation involves large hawks targeting smaller or vulnerable falcons. For example, a powerful Red-tailed Hawk may attack an injured or inexperienced juvenile falcon, or a small species like the Merlin. These incidents often occur when the falcon is distracted, on the ground, or caught by surprise, negating its speed advantage. Since the risk of injury is high when preying on another raptor, hawks generally select an easier target unless they have a clear advantage.
Hawks may also target the eggs or nestlings of falcons, especially smaller species. While adult falcons are formidable defenders, their young are defenseless against a larger, determined hawk. These predatory acts are isolated events, primarily driven by hunger or the opportunity to secure a meal with minimal effort.
Territorial and Resource Competition
Beyond direct predation, hawks and falcons frequently conflict over shared resources, leading to aggressive but non-lethal encounters. Both groups compete intensely for prime nesting locations, such as cliff ledges, tall trees, or artificial structures. A pair of raptors establishing a territory often excludes the other, with the larger or more aggressive species typically prevailing.
Another conflict form is kleptoparasitism, where one raptor attempts to steal a freshly caught meal from another. Larger Buteo hawks harass smaller falcons, forcing them to drop their prey so the hawk can claim the food. This interaction is about resource management and survival, not consuming the falcon itself.
Despite their smaller size, falcons are aggressive in defending their territory against perceived threats, even larger hawks. Peregrine Falcons, for instance, “stoop” or dive at larger raptors, including Red-tailed Hawks, to drive them out of nesting areas. This defense uses their superior speed to strike and injure the larger bird without attempting to kill it.