Main Difference
The main difference between Eagle and Hawk is that the Eagle is a large carnivore bird and Hawk is a bird.
Eagle
Eagle is the common name for many large birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, not all of which are closely related. Most of the 60 species of eagle are from Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just 14 species can be found—2 in North America, 9 in Central and South America, and 3 in Australia.
Hawk
Hawks are a group of medium-sized diurnal birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Hawks are widely distributed and vary greatly in size.
The subfamily Accipitrinae includes goshawks, sparrowhawks, sharp-shinned hawks and others. This subfamily are mainly woodland birds with long tails and high visual acuity. They hunt by dashing suddenly from a concealed perch.
In the Americas, members of the Buteo group are also called hawks; this group are called buzzards in other parts of the world. Generally, buteos have broad wings and sturdy builds. They are relatively larger-winged, shorter-tailed and fly further distances in open areas than accipiters. Buteos descend or pounce on their prey rather than hunting in a fast horizontal pursuit.The terms accipitrine hawk and buteonine hawk are used to distinguish between the types in regions where hawk applies to both. The term “true hawk” is sometimes used for the accipitrine hawks in regions where buzzard is preferred for the buteonine hawks.
All these groups are members of the Accipitridae family, which includes the hawks and buzzards as well as kites, harriers and eagles. Some authors use “hawk” generally for any small to medium Accipitrid that is not an eagle.
The common names of some birds include the term “hawk”, reflecting traditional usage rather than taxonomy. For example, some people may call an osprey a “fish hawk” or a peregrine falcon a “duck hawk”.
Eagle (noun)
Any of several large carnivorous and carrion-eating birds in the family Accipitridae, having a powerful hooked bill and keen vision.
“erne|broadwing”
Eagle (noun)
A representation of such a bird carried as an emblem, e.g. on a coat of arms.
Eagle (noun)
A gold coin with a face value of ten dollars, formerly used in the United States.
Eagle (noun)
A 13th-century coin minted in Europe and circulated in England as a debased sterling silver penny, outlawed under Edward I.
Eagle (noun)
A score of two under par for a hole.
Eagle (verb)
To score an eagle.
Hawk (noun)
A diurnal predatory bird of the family Accipitridae, smaller than an eagle.
“It is illegal to hunt hawks or other raptors in many parts of the world.”
Hawk (noun)
Any diurnal predatory terrestrial bird of similar size and and appearance to the accipitrid hawks, such as a falcon
Hawk (noun)
An advocate of aggressive political positions and actions; a warmonger.
Hawk (noun)
An uncooperative or purely-selfish participant in an exchange or game, especially when untrusting, acquisitive or treacherous. Refers specifically to the Prisoner’s Dilemma, alias the Hawk-Dove game.
Hawk (noun)
A plasterer’s tool, made of a flat surface with a handle below, used to hold an amount of plaster prior to application to the wall or ceiling being worked on: a mortarboard.
“mortarboard”
Hawk (noun)
A noisy effort to force up phlegm from the throat.
Hawk (verb)
To hunt with a hawk.
Hawk (verb)
To make an attack while on the wing; to soar and strike like a hawk.
“to hawk at flies”
Hawk (verb)
To sell; to offer for sale by outcry in the street; to carry (merchandise) about from place to place for sale; to peddle.
“The vendors were hawking their wares from little tables lining either side of the market square.”
Hawk (verb)
To cough up something from one’s throat.
Hawk (verb)
To try to cough up something from one’s throat; to clear the throat loudly.
“Grandpa sat on the front porch, hawking and wheezing, as he packed his pipe with cheap tobacco.”