| Swainson’s Hawk | Red-tailed Hawk | ||
| Adult | |||
| wings nearly reach tip of tail |  |  | wings shorter than tip of tail |
| darker bib (intermediate morph) |  Raptor Center |  | belly band (missing in some races, see regional differences page) |
| lacks patagial markings |  |  | patagial mark on underside of wings |
| 3 outer primaries emarginated (notched) |  |  | 4 outer primaries emarginated (notched) |
| Juvenile | |||
| wings almost reach tip of tail |  |  | wings shorter than tip of tail |
| brown spots on chest |  |  | belly band |
| lacks patagial mark |  |  | patagial mark |
| Go to swainson’s hawk |
| Go to red-tailed hawk |