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Falcon vs. Eagle — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 26, 2023
A falcon is a bird of prey known for its incredible speed and precision in flight, while an eagle is a larger bird of prey, noted for its strength and keen eyesight. They mainly differ in size, hunting techniques, and habitat preferences.
Falcon vs. Eagle — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Falcon and Eagle

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Key Differences

Falcon and Eagle are both birds of prey, but they exhibit significant differences in their physical attributes, behaviors, and hunting methods. Falcons are generally smaller and more streamlined, designed for speed and agility in the air, allowing them to pursue and catch their prey with precision. They possess tapered wings and a sharp beak to adapt to their high-speed hunting style. Eagles, in contrast, are larger and more powerful, equipped with strong talons and a heavy beak, enabling them to capture and handle larger prey. They often hunt from a high perch and use their strength to subdue their catch.
While falcons are renowned for their incredible speed and precision, eagles are admired for their imposing presence and keen eyesight. Falcons, with their exceptional aerial agility, can maneuver and change directions swiftly during flight, making them skilled hunters of birds and small mammals. They typically employ a hunting technique called "stooping," where they dive at high speeds to catch their prey. Eagles, on the other hand, use their remarkable vision to spot prey from great distances. They predominantly prey on fish, mammals, and other birds, leveraging their powerful build to dominate and carry off their catch.
In terms of habitat and distribution, falcons and eagles can be found in varied environments across the globe, but they exhibit preferences based on their species and adaptations. Falcons tend to inhabit open landscapes, cliffs, and coasts, allowing them ample space to exploit their aerial speed and maneuverability. They are distributed worldwide, with numerous species adapting to specific ecological niches. Eagles, with their preference for expansive and elevated terrains, can be spotted near mountains, large lakes, and rivers. Their range and habitat choice depend on their species, with some species having extensive distributions, such as the bald eagle in North America.
In relation to symbolism and cultural significance, both falcons and eagles hold esteemed positions in various cultures. Falcons are often symbolized as the emblems of freedom and vision due to their flight capabilities and predatory efficiency. They have been used in falconry, a sport involving trained birds of prey, for centuries. Eagles symbolize power, courage, and majesty, representing national symbols for various countries, including the United States. Their imposing stature and commanding presence have contributed to their symbolic representation of strength and freedom.
In conclusion, while falcons and eagles are both formidable birds of prey, they differ in physical characteristics, hunting strategies, habitat preferences, and symbolic meanings. Falcons are swift and agile aerial hunters, while eagles are powerful predators with remarkable vision, each contributing uniquely to the biodiversity of their respective ecosystems.
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Comparison Chart

Size and Build

Generally smaller and more streamlined
Larger and more robust, powerful build

Hunting Technique

Uses speed and precision, often stooping at high speeds
Uses keen eyesight and strength, often from a high perch

Prey

Prefers birds and small mammals
Prefers fish, mammals, and other birds

Habitat Preference

Open landscapes, cliffs, and coasts
Mountains, large lakes, and rivers

Symbolism

Represents freedom and vision
Symbolizes power, courage, and majesty

Compare with Definitions

Falcon

Covers the foot and part of the calf or ankle.
She wore a knee-high sock to match her skirt.

Eagle

Typically made of sheer materials like nylon or silk.
The delicate, sheer stocking added an elegant touch to her attire.

Falcon

Designed to absorb sweat and provide warmth.
He opted for a thermal sock for the winter hike.

Eagle

A long, thin garment covering the foot and leg.
She wore a silk stocking to complement her evening dress.

Falcon

A short, thick garment for the foot.
She pulled on a warm, woolly sock to stave off the cold.

Eagle

Extends up the leg to the knee or thigh.
She chose a thigh-high stocking to wear with her short skirt.

Falcon

Comes in various lengths, colors, and patterns.
She picked a colorful, striped sock to brighten her outfit.

Eagle

May feature different colors, textures, and opacities.
She wore a black, opaque stocking for the formal event.

Falcon

Falcons () are birds of prey in the genus Falco, which includes about 40 species. Falcons are widely distributed on all continents of the world except Antarctica, though closely related raptors did occur there in the Eocene.Adult falcons have thin, tapered wings, which enable them to fly at high speed and change direction rapidly.

Eagle

Often decorative and worn for style and elegance.
The patterned stocking made a stylish statement.

Falcon

A bird of prey with long pointed wings and a notched beak, typically catching prey by diving on it from above.

Eagle

Eagle is the common name for many large birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, some of which are closely related.

Falcon

Any of various birds of prey of the family Falconidae and especially of the genus Falco, having a short, curved beak and long, pointed, powerful wings adapted for swift flight.

Eagle

Any of various large diurnal birds of prey of the family Accipitridae, including members of the genera Aquila and Haliaeetus, characterized by broad wings, a hooked bill, keen vision, and soaring flight.

Falcon

Any of several birds of these or related species, such as hawks, trained to hunt small game.

Eagle

A representation of an eagle used as an emblem or insignia.

Falcon

A female bird of this type used in falconry.

Eagle

A gold coin formerly used in the United States, stamped with an eagle on the reverse side and having a face value of ten dollars.

Falcon

A small cannon in use from the 15th to the 17th century.

Eagle

(Sports) A golf score of two strokes under par on a hole.

Falcon

Any bird of the genus Falco, all of which are birds of prey.

Eagle

To shoot (a hole in golf) in two strokes under par.

Falcon

(falconry) A female such bird, a male being a tiercel.

Eagle

To score an eagle in golf.

Falcon

(historical) A light cannon used from the 15th to the 17th century; a falconet.

Eagle

Any of several large carnivorous and carrion-eating birds in the family Accipitridae, having a powerful hooked bill and keen vision.

Falcon

To hunt with a falcon or falcons.

Eagle

A gold coin with a face value of ten dollars, formerly used in the United States.

Falcon

One of a family (Falconidæ) of raptorial birds, characterized by a short, hooked beak, strong claws, and powerful flight.
In the language of falconry, the female peregrine (Falco peregrinus) is exclusively called the falcon.

Eagle

A 13th-century coin minted in Europe and circulated in England as a debased sterling silver penny, outlawed under Edward I of England.

Falcon

An ancient form of cannon.

Eagle

(golf) A score of two under par for a hole.

Falcon

Diurnal birds of prey having long pointed powerful wings adapted for swift flight

Eagle

(golf) To score an eagle.

Falcon

Hunt with falcons;
The Arabs like to falcon in the desert

Eagle

Any large, rapacious bird of the Falcon family, esp. of the genera Aquila and Haliæetus. The eagle is remarkable for strength, size, graceful figure, keenness of vision, and extraordinary flight. The most noted species are the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaëtus); the imperial eagle of Europe (Aquila mogilnik or Aquila imperialis); the American bald eagle (Haliæetus leucocephalus); the European sea eagle (Haliæetus albicilla); and the great harpy eagle (Thrasaetus harpyia). The figure of the eagle, as the king of birds, is commonly used as an heraldic emblem, and also for standards and emblematic devices. See Bald eagle, Harpy, and Golden eagle.

Falcon

Typically made from cotton or wool, designed for comfort.
He always chooses a breathable cotton sock when going for a run.

Eagle

A gold coin of the United States, of the value of ten dollars.

Eagle

A northern constellation, containing Altair, a star of the first magnitude. See Aquila.

Eagle

The figure of an eagle borne as an emblem on the standard of the ancient Romans, or so used upon the seal or standard of any people.
Though the Roman eagle shadow thee.

Eagle

Any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight

Eagle

(golf) a score of two strokes under par on a hole

Eagle

A former gold coin in the United States worth 10 dollars

Eagle

An emblem representing power;
The Roman eagle

Eagle

Shoot in two strokes under par

Common Curiosities

Are socks typically shorter than stockings?

Yes, socks are generally shorter, often covering just the foot and ankle, while stockings extend up the leg.

Are stockings primarily a fashion accessory for women?

Yes, stockings are predominantly worn by women, often as a fashionable accessory to formal attire.

Are socks primarily designed for comfort and warmth?

Yes, socks are designed to provide warmth, comfort, and protection to the feet.

Do socks come in different materials like cotton and wool?

Yes, socks are available in a variety of materials, including cotton, wool, and synthetic fibers, each offering different levels of warmth and comfort.

Are stockings usually thinner than socks?

Yes, stockings are typically thinner and made of sheer materials like nylon or silk.

Are socks generally more durable than stockings?

Yes, socks are designed to be more durable and practical, suited to everyday wear and various activities.

Do stockings come in different opacities?

Yes, stockings are available in different opacities, from sheer to opaque, allowing for varied style preferences.

Can socks be worn by all genders and ages?

Yes, socks are universal and can be worn by individuals of all genders and ages.

Can stockings have decorative patterns and designs?

Yes, stockings often feature intricate patterns and designs, adding to their decorative and aesthetic appeal.

Can stockings require garters to hold them up?

Yes, some stockings may require garters to hold them up, especially those that extend up to the thigh.

Can socks have a ribbed cuff at the opening?

Yes, many socks feature a ribbed cuff at the opening to help secure them around the ankle or calf.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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