Globally, there are innumerable bird species that you can spot. That is why getting confused between the different bird species is not uncommon.
Even in a specific bird type, there can be numerous species as well.
Today, we will help you decipher between 2 birds. We are speaking about Eagle and kite.
Once you go through this article, you will know how to differentiate between them.
9 ways to tell Eagle and Kite apart
There are nine ways to tell Eagle and Kite apart. We will cover these below.
1. Species: There are only two eagle species. Kite species vary between 20 to 30.
2. Food: Depending on the species, Eagles can feed on fish, small vertebrates, mammals, snakes, etc. Kites do not have particular food options. Kites hunt insects, pests and also snatch food from other birds.
3. Color: Eagles can be of various colors like black, grey, brown, gold, etc. There are bald eagles as well, which are white. On the other hand, Kites are of specific colors like brown, grey, white, black.
4. Feather pattern: Eagles are fully covered in feathers up to their toes. On the other hand, Kites have feathers on their forehead, shoulder, lower belly, and legs.
5. Hunting technique: Kites are primarily scavengers. Eagles, on the other hand, can handle larger prey as well.
6. Egg properties: Kites can lay up to 7 eggs as well. Eagles, on the other hand, can lay only two eggs or less.
7. Form factor: Kites comparatively have smaller weight and smaller form factor. Eagles, on the other hand, are famous as one of the largest flying birds.
8. Face pattern: Eagles have a big head, big beak, and broad wings. Kites, on the other hand, have a small head, short beak, and pointed wings.
9. Nest size: Eagles make a nest of which can be up to 6 feet wide. Kites, on the other hand, have a very narrow nest that is not that well-built.
In a nutshell, these are the differences between Eagle vs. Kite.
We will now go into each of those differences in great detail.
1. Kites have much more species than Eagles
The number of kite species that re-found all over the world is quite a few. In total, these can be between 20 to 30. This is why the population of kites is also on the higher side compared to Eagles.
When you speak about Eagles, there are only two species. They go by the name of the land eagle as well as the sea eagle. However, these two species of Eagle are different not only in their looks but also in their habitat and the kind of food they consume.
If you have seen an eagle before, chances are you might have only seen a land eagle before. That is because sea eagles are difficult to find.
2. Eagles are very particular about their food
The type of food which both these birds consume is very different.
Among Eagles, the type of food they consume depends on whether it is a sea eagle or a land eagle. Generally speaking, Eagles can feed on fish, small vertebrates, mammals, snakes, and other birds. In the case of sea eagles, they primarily feed on fish.
When it comes to kites, they do not have any particular diet. They can hunt on insects as well as pests. Not only that, they can seize prey from other predators and birds as well. It means that when it comes to the diet, kites have a much wider diet.
Eagles, on the other hand, only hunt their food. They hardly ever take a hunted prey.
In a nutshell, when you observe both, you will notice a stark difference.
3. Colors
When you observe the color of Eagles and kites, you will notice a stark difference. It is one of the easiest ways to either spot an eagle or a kite.
When looking at a kite, it can have brown, grey, white, or black color. You need to also understand that male kites have different colors as compared to female kites. That is why; distinguishing between both of them is also very easy.
When you look at Eagles, they can sport brown, black, grey, and gold color. If you observe a bald eagle, it can have a white hat and a whitetail as well.
As you can see, by observing the colors closely, you will spot the Eagle and kite.
Not only that, if you’re looking at a kite, you will be able to spot whether it is a male or female, depending on the color.
4. Eagles have a wide feather distribution
Feather distribution refers to the places over the body of the kite and Eagle where feathers are present. There are other characteristics of a unique feather distribution as well. We will go into the difference between the feather distributions of the Eagle and kite below.
Kites generally have black feathers. When you look at the placement of those feathers, those are on the lower belly, shoulder, forehead, and legs. When you look at the tail of the kite, it is generally long and V-shaped.
Sea eagles have feathers up to half of their toes. Land eagles, on the other hand, have a feather distribution up to their toes. It means that based on feather distribution, you can recognize between the Eagle and kite. Not only that, if you’re spotting an eagle, you will also be able to know right away whether it is a sea eagle or land eagle.
Once you look at the feather distribution, there is no confusion between an eagle and a kite.
5. Eagles are better hunters than kites
If you observe the color of kites, you can tell the difference in their hunting techniques.
Eagles are skillful hunters. They have excellent vision. Once they zero in on their prey, they use the beak to ambush as well. In most cases, they will not land. They will directly pick up the prey during flight.
In many instances, it has been noted that Eagles go for larger places. These can include younger ones of rabbits, squirrels, and other prey.
Not only that, Eagles often catch other birds during flight as well. It not only speaks volumes about their precision but also about their hunting technique.
Kites, on the other hand, are scavengers. They will often snatch the prey of other birds. When it comes to hunting, they can only hunt small mammals, reptiles, and insects.
Thus, it is easy to spot whether you’re looking at an eagle or kite when observing their hunting technique.
6. Kites lay much more eggs than Eagles
If you observe the nest of kite and Eagle, you will notice the difference between both of them as well. That is because the eggs which they lay are different.
Kites can easily lay up to 7 eggs. The color of the eggs of kites is white or blue. They consist of round dots as well.
When you look at Eagles’ eggs, on the other hand, they cannot exceed 2. In most cases, Eagles can only lay a single leg.
You need to keep in mind that getting too close to the nest of an eagle is not entirely safe. The Eagle might view it as a threat and might try to harm you or scare you away.
Nevertheless, when you observe the eggs of a kite and Eagle, you will be able to easily distinguish between them.
7. Eagles are much bigger than Kites
One of the distinguishing factors between these birds is the form factor. When comparing Eagle vs. kite, there is a stark difference between both of them.
When you look at Eagles, they are much bigger than kites. Not only that, they lift higher weights as well. According to some estimates, Eagles are regarded as one of the biggest flying birds.
Kites, on the other hand, are comparatively smaller. With the help of their narrow heads, they are comparatively easier to distinguish as well.
You need to keep in mind that in both these types of birds, Eagles, and kites, the females are a bit bigger as well. You have to keep this factor in mind while distinguishing them.
8. Eagles have a bigger head than Kites
Another distinguishing factor is their head. When you observe the head, it becomes easier to distinguish between them.
Eagles have a much bigger head. Along with that, they have a big beak as well. The tail is also fan-shaped. The wings are pretty broad to match their body as well. As you can see, the physical traits of an eagle are quite peculiar.
When it comes to kites, they have a small head, small beak, and pointed wings. The tail is V-shaped.
As you can see, there is quite a bit of difference in the physical traits and head type of the Eagle and kite. That is why, when you observe their body, it is easy to distinguish one apart from the other.
9. Eagles have a large nest
If you observe the nest of Eagles or kites, then you will know the difference between them.
The nest of the Eagle can be 6 feet wide. Generally speaking, Eagles have nests in high places like tall trees or higher cliffs. That is why; it is very difficult for you to reach their nest.
On the other hand, when you look at the kites’ nest, they are built with sticks and twigs. They consist of grass as well. They, too, build a nest in a tall tree. However, their nest will often be near a water source. Kites need a water source near them to build their nest. That is why you can easily detect the kite with the help of the nest.
These are the 9 differences that will help you spot an eagle as well as a kite.
Questions and Answers
Answer: no, the kite is not related to Eagle. The kite belongs to the Accipitridae family. Eagle belongs to an entirely different family.
When you’re trying to relate both of the basis of the family or the species, you will find that they are not related.
Question: Who is more powerful, Eagle or kite?
Answer: Under normal circumstances, an eagle will not fight with a kite and vice versa. However, when you try to find out which one is more powerful, the Eagle is no doubt much more powerful.
There are quite a few reasons for the same. These include:
1. Eagles are certainly bigger than kites.
2. Eagles can snatch their prey midflight as well. They have very sharp paws with the help of which they can tear into their prey.
3. Eagles can easily lift higher weights as well.
4. Once they start diving towards their prey, they can attain a higher speed as well.
Due to these characteristics, you can safely assume that Eagles are more powerful than kites.
Question: Which one is more dangerous, kite or Eagle?
Answer: Eagles are certainly much more dangerous. The reason for the same is that they have been known to try and pick up smaller human children as prey in certain cases.
Kites, on the other hand, do not generally do so. That is why, when it comes to danger, Eagle certainly poses more danger to humans.