Confusing words explained
“falcon” vs “hawk” — What’s the Difference?
Both are birds of prey, but falcons are smaller with longer wings and hunt by speed.
Key takeaway
Quick Difference: falcon vs hawk
Both are birds of prey, but falcons are smaller with longer wings and hunt by speed.
falcon vs hawk Side-by-Side Comparison
Meaning of falcon
A fast bird of prey with long pointed wings and excellent hunting ability.
A small to medium bird of prey that hunts by diving at high speed from the sky.
Use when referring to the specific faster bird of prey or falconry sport.
- The falcon dived down to catch a sparrow.
- A peregrine falcon can fly faster than any other animal.
Meaning of hawk
A large bird of prey with sharp claws and excellent eyesight.
A bird that hunts other animals for food, known for being fast and powerful hunters.
Use for the bird itself or metaphorically for keen eyesight (hawk-eyed).
- A hawk flew over the field looking for mice.
- The hawk has sharp eyes that help it see very far away.
Usage Notes & Nuance
falcon: Falconry, the sport of hunting with trained falcons, dates back thousands of years and remains popular.
hawk: Hawks are used in falconry and appear in many cultures as symbols of power and vision.
How to Remember the Difference
Falcons have pointed wings and dive from the sky; hawks have rounded wings and ambush from a perch.
Common Mistakes with falcon and hawk
Mistake with falcon
Correct: Falcons hunt by diving speed; hawks use strength.
Mistake with falcon
Correct: Falcon wings are long and pointed.
Mistake with hawk
Correct: The hawk is flying over us.
Mistake with hawk
Correct: I saw two hawks in the tree.
Practice Quiz: falcon or hawk?
Choose the word that best completes each real example sentence.
Question 1
The _____ dived down to catch a sparrow.
Question 2
A peregrine _____ can fly faster than any other animal.
Question 3
A _____ flew over the field looking for mice.
Pick at least one answer, then press Check answers to see how you did.
You scored 0 out of 3
Frequently Asked Questions About falcon vs hawk
What’s the difference between “falcon” and “hawk”?
Both are birds of prey, but falcons are smaller with longer wings and hunt by speed.
When should I use “falcon”?
Use when referring to the specific faster bird of prey or falconry sport.
When should I use “hawk”?
Use for the bird itself or metaphorically for keen eyesight (hawk-eyed).
How can I remember falcon vs hawk?
Falcons have pointed wings and dive from the sky; hawks have rounded wings and ambush from a perch.
Is it “falcon” or “hawk” in example sentences?
Use the quiz above to test the pair with real example sentences from the available word data.