All About Eagles
All about Eagles
Think of an eagle...what comes to mind? A large powerful bird of prey, swooping down and snatching up its next victim? Or maybe you imagine a beautiful and noble bird with very likable qualities. Actually, eagles are all of that and more. In the United States, the Bald Eagle is a symbol of justice, strength, and fairness. The Bald Eagle is after all, our national symbol. However, to the rest of the world the eagle may bring to mind many different images. That is because there are many different types of eagles. In fact there are about 59 different species of eagles throughout the world, and they can be found on every continent except Antarctica.
Eagles are members of the bird family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just two species (the Bald and Golden Eagles) can be found in the United States and Canada, nine more in Central and South America, and three in Australia. * |
Description
Eagles differ from many other birds of prey which] mainly by their larger size, more powerful build, and heavier head and beak. Even the smallest eagles, like the Booted Eagle (which is comparable in size to a Common Buzzard or Red-tailed Hawk), have relatively longer and more evenly broad wings, and more direct, faster flight. Most eagles are larger than any other raptors apart from the vultures. Species named as eagles range in size from the South Nicobar Serpent Eagle, at 500 g (1.1 lb) and 40 cm (16 in), to the 6.7 kg (14.7 lbs) Steller's Sea Eagle and the 100 cm (39 in) Philippine Eagle. Like all birds of prey, eagles have very large hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong muscular legs, and powerful talons. They also have extremely keen eyesight which enables them to spot potential prey from a very long distance.[2] This keen eyesight is primarily contributed by their extremely large pupils which
Think of an eagle...what comes to mind? A large powerful bird of prey, swooping down and snatching up its next victim? Or maybe you imagine a beautiful and noble bird with very likable qualities. Actually, eagles are all of that and more. In the United States, the Bald Eagle is a symbol of justice, strength, and fairness. The Bald Eagle is after all, our national symbol. However, to the rest of the world the eagle may bring to mind many different images. That is because there are many different types of eagles. In fact there are about 59 different species of eagles throughout the world, and they can be found on every continent except Antarctica.
Eagles are members of the bird family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just two species (the Bald and Golden Eagles) can be found in the United States and Canada, nine more in Central and South America, and three in Australia. * |
Description
Eagles differ from many other birds of prey which] mainly by their larger size, more powerful build, and heavier head and beak. Even the smallest eagles, like the Booted Eagle (which is comparable in size to a Common Buzzard or Red-tailed Hawk), have relatively longer and more evenly broad wings, and more direct, faster flight. Most eagles are larger than any other raptors apart from the vultures. Species named as eagles range in size from the South Nicobar Serpent Eagle, at 500 g (1.1 lb) and 40 cm (16 in), to the 6.7 kg (14.7 lbs) Steller's Sea Eagle and the 100 cm (39 in) Philippine Eagle. Like all birds of prey, eagles have very large hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong muscular legs, and powerful talons. They also have extremely keen eyesight which enables them to spot potential prey from a very long distance.[2] This keen eyesight is primarily contributed by their extremely large pupils which