| 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)  | ||
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 |