10/14/2026
I often get asked about the relative size of a peregrine falcon and other raptor species, so I thought today's post would highlight not only their sizes of typical raptors in North America but also their overall shape compared to other diurnal (daytime hunting) species.
As you can see in today's photo, raptors come in a variety of shapes and sizes. From the tiniest Elf Owl at 40grams, to the California Condor, which has over a 9 foot wing spread and weighs ~20 pounds! There are 36 recognized species of hawks, eagles, vultures, kites, osprey or harriers found in North America, and 19 different owl species.
For falcons, you can find them ranging in size form a 4 oz American Kestrel to a 4 pound Gyrfalcon. Obviously, Peregrine Falcons are somewhere in the middle, with an average weight of 1-3 pounds and 3-3.5 foot wingspan in our area. Everything about them is build for speed, by having a very sleek and aerodynamic body shape; long, pointed wings that enable them to dive over 200 mph and long and tapered tail for steering in flight. Nature's speed jet indeed!
In comparrison, an average Red-tailed Hawk may weigh 2-3.5 pounds and have a 3.5-4.5 foot wingspan, although a very different shape than the woodland hawks (Acccipiters) or falcons. Red-tailed Hawks are a "buteo" or soaring hawk, often found hunting from lightposts along a highway or from a soar in open areas. They are built more solidly and sturdy in shape than either a falcon or Accipiter, and best at hunting from a soar than chasing their quarry. Redtails are by far the most common species of raptor you'll find in North America, with a population of over 3 million birds!
Cooper's Hawks are another common day-time hunting raptor, often found near bird feeders in your neighborhood or city parks. They have a very different shape than falcons or the soaring hawks like Redtails or Broadwinged Hawks, by having very short and stubby wings and an exceptionally LOOOONG tail, to help with manuvering through wooded forests (or trees in your back yard). They are smaller than Red-tailed Hawks, and even male Peregrine Falcons, but due to their speed, many people misgauge their size. With a wingspan of 3-3.5 feet and weighing half to 3/4 of a pound, they are capable of taking food much larger than themselves. As they will take both mammals or birds for a meal, most often songbirds at your backyard feeder.
Eagles and vultures are among the largest flying raptors found on the continent, having wingspans averaging 6 ft for Turkey Vultures and up to over 8 feet for Bald and Golden Eagles. While vultures weigh ~3 to 4 pounds, Bald and Golden Eagles average 8-15 pounds, depending on location and s*x. Both groups are also build for soaring and riding thermals, as well as having very defined "slot" shaped outer primaries that are great for reducing drag and helping with lift. Although Bald and Golden Eagles are very large birds, even the largest subspecies found in Alaska only stand 2.5 to 3 feet tall!
Obviously, there are numerous other raptor species found in North America, but I thought I would just cover the general groups and most common species found.
This is an excellent FREE reference guide with the more common diurnal raptor species found in North America, provided by Hawk Migration Associationhttps://www.hawkmigration.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Eastern-Migrant-Raptor-Flight-Guide-2021.pdf
