Relative weight of birds of prey (1 Viewer)

[wolfbirder]

I was surprised to see how light Common Buzzard was in comparison to birds i had always considered to be smaller, though i realised they were more compact and muscular. Also surprised to see how weight varies within species.

Anyway, here goes Common Buzzard varies 400g-1200g with the average larger female in one study said to be 938g.

In contrast Peregrine is said to be averaging 750g for smaller male, and upto 1600g for female.

Northern Goshawk females can weigh upto 1450g, and female GyrFalcon's upto 2000g.

The female Gyr size staggered me in contrast to Common Buzzard, when people in the UK see a rare Gyr they often comment that is it's nearer the size of a Buzzard....hadnt realised the Gyr weighed nearly twice as much though of course it is comprised of compact muscle.

Golden Eagle weighs in at a mighty 7kg.

Boring but useless facts I know, but sometimes you just do not realise the comparative weights of birds.

 

[BrownnishSkua]

So the largest falcons acctually outweigh the largest goshawk and buzzards yet the former two have stronger talon grips pound to pound and even at slightly lighter weights.
Peregrine falcons with their stoops are capable of killing birds twice their weight!

 

[Firecrest5]

Hawks need a stronger grip as they have to grab and hold their prey, especially ground quarry, whereas falcons usually strikeat speed therefore reuirelessgripping power but have a wider based foot.

Different techniques require different tools.

 

[wolfbirder]

The weights I gleaned were partly from Falconer's sites, and there is some variation between "fat" weight and "hunting" weight, so the average gyr or peregrine may be less than the figures quoted, but nevertheless the fact remains.

 

[Sy V]

The facts, according to the BTO appear to be slightly more conservative:
Buzzard Weight: M: 780g F: 1000g
Peregrine Weight: M: 670g F: 1.1kg
Goshawk Weight: M: 850g F: 1.5kg
Gyr Falcon Weight: M: 1.1kg F: 1.8kg
Golden Eagle Weight: M: 3.7kg F: 5.3kg

 

[Azzy]

The facts, according to the BTO appear to be slightly more conservative:
Golden Eagle Weight: M: 3.7kg F: 5.3kg

I am interested to know, as the weights for the Wedge-tailed eagle are similar, what sort of wingspan the golden boasts? I'm interested to know if it's generally a stockier or more muscled bird than the wedgie or visa versa. Wedge-tails span is around 2.3 meters (apparantly some have been recorded at 3m)

 

[Sy V]

Azzy

Again, from the BTO site:

Golden Eagle: [Typical measurements, there may be much variation between individuals]
Length: 82 cm
Wingspan: 212 cm

 

[Sy V]

The facts, according to the BTO appear to be slightly more conservative:
Buzzard Weight: M: 780g F: 1000g
Peregrine Weight: M: 670g F: 1.1kg
Goshawk Weight: M: 850g F: 1.5kg
Gyr Falcon Weight: M: 1.1kg F: 1.8kg
Golden Eagle Weight: M: 3.7kg F: 5.3kg

Just reading my post again from yesterday. It looks like I was picking an argument over weights with WB. This was not my intention, I was just bringing some additional data to the discussion.

Simon

 

[wolfbirder]

Just reading my post again from yesterday. It looks like I was picking an argument over weights with WB. This was not my intention, I was just bringing some additional data to the discussion.

Simon

No problem and hadnt construed your post as anataganistic at all. :t:

Still can't quite get over the comparatively low weight of buzzard compared to Gyr!

 

[Norbawl]

HI
A buzzard of 400g would be a very small buzzard. Buzzards can be deceving, a female that weighs around 880g in the spring would be over a 1000g in the winter months.Female goshawks are large and almost as big as a buzzard but more muscula and although a slightly smaller wing span on average the weigh a bit more.
keith