10/16/2026
EAGLE SPECIES 🦅⚔️🦉
1. Bald Eagle – *Haliaeetus leucocephalus* | Distribution: North America (Canada, USA, Mexico).
Characteristics: Large; dark brown body; white head and tail (in adults); yellow beak and legs. Length: 71–96 cm; wingspan: ~2 m; weight: 3–6.3 kg.
Diet: Primarily fish; occasionally scavenges or steals prey from other birds.
Notes: National symbol of the USA; populations have recovered strongly after declining due to DDT.
2. Golden Eagle – *Aquila chrysaetos* | Distribution: North America, Europe, Asia (mountainous regions, open grasslands).
Characteristics: Dark brown body overall; golden-hued feathers on the nape. Length: 76–104 cm; wingspan: ~2–2.2 m; weight: 3–6.5 kg.
Diet: Primarily medium-sized mammals (rabbits, ground squirrels); occasionally birds and carrion.
Notes: Skilled hunter; holds cultural significance for many peoples.
3. Harpy Eagle – *Harpia harpyja* | Distribution: Central and South America (tropical rainforests from Mexico to Argentina).
Characteristics: Very large and powerful; grey crest; grey-black and white body; extremely strong talons (up to 13 cm). Length: 89–107 cm; wingspan: ~2 m; weight: 4–9 kg (females are larger).
Diet: Primarily arboreal mammals (sloths, monkeys).
Notes: One of the world's most powerful eagles; conservation status: Vulnerable.
4. Philippine Eagle – *Pithecophaga jefferyi* | Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines (Luzon, Samar, Leyte, Mindanao – mountainous forests).
Characteristics: Largest in terms of length and wing surface area; shaggy crest, blue-grey eyes. Length: 86–102 cm; wingspan: ~2–2.5 m; weight: 4–8 kg.
Diet: Wild mammals (flying lemurs, monkeys, large rodents, etc.).
Notes: National bird of the Philippines; Critically Endangered; very few individuals remain.
5. Steller’s Sea Eagle – *Haliaeetus pelagicus* | Distribution: Northeast Asia (Russia – Kamchatka; Japan during winter).
Characteristics: One of the heaviest species; black body, white shoulders/tail/forehead, massive yellow beak. Length: 85–105 cm; wingspan: 1.95–2.5 m; weight: 5–9 kg.
Diet: Primarily salmon, other fish, and carrion.
Notes: Vulnerable; inhabits coastal areas and rivers.
6. White-tailed Eagle – *Haliaeetus albicilla* | Distribution: Europe and Asia (coasts, lakes, large rivers).
Characteristics: grey-brown plumage, pale head, wedge-shaped white tail. Length: 70–94 cm; wingspan: 2–2.4 m; weight: 3–7 kg.
Diet: Fish, waterbirds, small mammals, and carrion.
Notes: Europe's largest eagle; successfully reintroduced in some areas (such as the UK).
7. Martial Eagle – *Polemaetus bellicosus* | Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa (savanna, open woodland).
Characteristics: Africa's largest eagle; brown head and chest, white belly with black spots. Length: 78–96 cm; wingspan: 1.9–2.6 m; weight: 3–6.5 kg.
Diet: Medium-sized mammals, birds, reptiles (including young antelope).
Notes: Endangered due to hunting and poisoning.
8. Wedge-tailed Eagle – *Aquila audax* | Distribution: Australia and southern New guinea.
Characteristics: Australia's largest eagle; dark brown body, distinctive wedge-shaped tail. Length: 87–106 cm; wingspan: up to 2.3–2.8 m; weight: 3–5.3 kg.
Diet: Rabbits, marsupials, birds, carrion.
Notes: Widespread; Least Concern (the Tasmanian subspecies is more threatened).
9. Crowned Eagle – *Stephanoaetus coronatus* | Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa (forests, riparian woodlands).
Characteristics: Africa's most powerful eagle relative to prey size; features a crest and short, broad wings. Length: 80–99 cm; wingspan: 1.5–1.8 m; weight: 2.7–4.7 kg.
Diet: Primarily mammals (monkeys, small antelope, hyraxes)—capable of killing prey many times its own weight.
Notes: Near Threatened.
10. African Fish Eagle – *Haliaeetus vocifer* (or *Icthyophaga vocifer*) | Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa (near lakes, rivers, and wetlands).
Characteristics: White head, chest, and tail; chestnut-brown body. Length: 63–76 cm; wingspan: 1.8–2.4 m; weight: 2–3.6 kg.
Diet: Primarily fish; possesses a very distinctive call.
Notes: National bird of several African countries; widespread.
11. Bonelli’s Eagle – *Aquila fasciata* | Distribution: Southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Characteristics: Brown back, white underparts with streaks; medium-sized. Length: 55–72 cm; wingspan: 1.5–1.8 m; weight: 1.4–3 kg.
Diet: Rabbits, medium-sized birds (pigeons, partridges).
Notes: Classified as Least Concern but declining in Europe.
12. Black-chested Snake Eagle – *Circaetus pectoralis* | Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa (savanna, open grasslands).
Characteristics: Black head and chest, white underparts, bright yellow eyes, unfeathered scaly legs. Length: 63–71 cm; wingspan: 1.6–1.85 m; weight: 1.2–2.3 kg.
Diet: Primarily snakes (including venomous ones), lizards, and occasionally small mammals.
Notes: Classified as Least Concern; specialized snake hunter.
General Summary: These species all belong to the family Accipitridae and are apex predators. They differ significantly in terms of habitat (forests, savannas, coastal areas), size, and hunting specializations (fish, arboreal mammals, snakes, etc.). Many species are threatened by habitat loss and human activity.