The linguistic histories of the two terms suggest an explanation. Whether such birds were actually eagles or large vultures is another question in itself. Many hawks are, in fact, quite small. Thus, eagles are eagles and hawks are hawks mainly because of differences in size. Eagles are scaled-up versions of hawks and are fierce, diurnal birds of prey with especially large wingspans, beaks, and talons.
Some large hawks are bigger than some small eagles.
This species, which is sometimes called the Crested Hawk Eagle, derives it name from the fact that races of the species differ considerably in plumage coloration and pattern, with several island forms even lacking the distinctive crest of the predominant mainland form. Eagle owls are some of the largest and most powerful owls. Found throughout the world except in Central and South America, sea eagles are most closely related to the kites. The snake, or serpent eagles comprise a group of 11 species of short-toed Old World eagles, most of which feed largely on snakes, and most of which occur in Africa, and feed largely on snakes. This group, too, appears to be closely related to the kites, as well as to another confusingly named group of raptors, the harrier hawks.