Types of Eagles - Different Eagle Species with Photos

Eagles are diurnal raptors from the family Accipitridae, from the order Accipitriformes. Diurnal means they live mostly during the daytime. This is important considering they need to see their prey from great heights. Eagles have hooked beaks to rip the flesh of their prey, usually larger than other birds of prey. Their vision is extremely acute and is the reason we use the phrase ‘eagle eye’ to refer to someone who spots something easily.

They are so-called birds of prey because they feed on animals. Fish is one of the most common types of prey, but they will also eat reptiles, mammals, and even other birds. Myths surrounding eagles have claimed some are able to pick up sheep or even children, but the reality is that they can only carry up to about a third of their body weight^[1]. They may lift more with momentum, but they won't be able to carry it far.

The eagle is usually an apex predator, depending on which other species are present in a given area. Not only are they dangerous to other animals, but also to each other. Eagles will usually give birth to two eggs, but the most dominant offspring (usually a female) will kill and eat the other.

Many genera comprise the eagle family, but they are also informally (i.e., not scientifically) organized into four characteristic groups:

• Fish eagles: due to mainly feeding on fish for sustenance.
• Snake eagles: because they are particularly adept at killing and eating reptiles.
• Harpy eagles: large eagles which live in tropical forests.
• Booted eagles: have feathers on their lower legs which look like boots.

While all share certain characteristics, there are 60 species of eagle which comprise this group of birds. Below we show you some of the different types of eagles you can find all over the world. It should be noted that each species has adapted uniquely to their environment, showcasing a remarkable variety in behavior and physical traits.

The national bird of the United States of America, the bald eagle is perhaps the most recognizable eagle species. However, they are not only found here, but all over North America, from Mexico to Canada. They are also represented on the Mexican flag. Bald eagles are well adapted to different environments and can be found in forests, swamps, rivers, mountains, and other areas. Females of this species can weigh over 7 kg (15.4 lbs) and can reach nearly 2 meters in wingspan. They are recognizable by the bright white feathers on their head which contrasts with the deep brown of the rest of their plumage. Interestingly, bald eagles are known for their impressive nest-building skills, often creating massive nests that can weigh up to a ton.

An endemic species of the Iberian Peninsula, the Spanish imperial eagle (also known as the Iberian eagle) occupies coastal and mountainous environments. Their size ranges from 70 to 80 cm (27.5" - 31.5") in length, their wingspan can reach almost two meters, and their plumage is brown with white bands on their shoulders. Despite being a rather long-lived species, they are currently classified as vulnerable, which is why they are protected in the peninsula. In this regard, conservation efforts have been implemented, focusing on habitat preservation and breeding programs to aid in their recovery.

To know more animals with a great lifespan, check out our article on the animals which live the longest.

In terms of distribution, the golden eagle is one of the most cosmopolitan types of eagle as they can live in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. This bird has a varied diet and can live in forests, mountains, and agricultural areas. They are found most commonly in mountainous areas and cliffs where they nest. The color of its plumage varies between shades of brown and gold on the head. The female of this species can reach a size of more than two meters of wingspan and her weight can easily exceed 6 kg (13 lbs). Golden eagles are also known for their powerful talons, which they use to capture a wide range of prey, showcasing their versatility as hunters.

This species' habitat spans from the Mediterranean basin to South-East Asia, where it is found in mountainous areas. They measure around 70 cm in length with a wingspan of almost 180 cm. They have brownish plumage with characteristic brown stripes on the breast. This species is registered as in danger of extinction in France. Their main threats are habitat destruction, illegal hunting, lead poisoning, as well as the reduction of prey. Conservationists are currently working to mitigate these threats and ensure the survival of Bonelli's eagle by promoting sustainable land use practices and stricter wildlife protection laws.

This is an eagle from the neo-tropics that inhabits jungles and rainforests where there are large trees. It is distributed from Central America to northern Argentina. With its height of one meter and wingspan of 2 meters, this species of eagle is considered to be one of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world today. Their plumage is greyish-whitish in color and they have rows of feathers that act as a kind of crest. Its talons are over four inches in length and its beak, which it uses to catch its prey, is equally powerful. This species is considered almost threatened due to the destruction of its environment. In addition to their size and strength, harpy eagles are also known for their remarkable ability to navigate through dense forests, a testament to their adaptability and skill as apex predators.

Also known as Isidor's Eagle, they are native to South America and can be found from Venezuela to northeastern Argentina. They mainly inhabit the jungles of the Andes. They can reach almost 80 cm in length and are characterized by their dark plumage which is ochre with black stripes on the breast as well as a crest on the head. Their orange iris is another feature that makes them so special. This is another species that is considered threatened because it is dependent on large trees for nesting, which are becoming increasingly rare due to the destruction of forests. Conservation efforts are underway to preserve their natural habitats and ensure the survival of this unique eagle species.

This large eagle species is endemic to Northeast Asia where it forages and lives near the coasts. They measure a meter in length and have a wingspan of 2.5 meters. This type of eagle species is considered, alongside the harpy, to be one of the largest and most powerful specimens. There is no doubt that its most notable feature is a powerful yellow colored beak and legs of the same color. They use both adroitly for fishing as it is a marine species. Its plumage is dark brown with white details on the forehead, wings, and thighs. This is a species that is considered vulnerable due to overfishing, which both limits its food source and pollutes the water. Efforts to protect Steller's sea eagle involve regulating fishing practices to ensure the sustainability of their food sources and reducing pollution in their habitats.

This type of eagle is native to sub-Saharan Africa and lives in dense forests. They are slightly smaller than most types of eagles. However, with a size of 90 cm and a wingspan of 1.80 m, it is still a feared apex predator. Their plumage is dark red with cream-colored spots. Their wings are notable for their shape as they are rounder and shorter than most eagle species. It is characteristic of eagles that hunt inside forests and jungles as they allow them better mobility. This species of eagle is very important to the areas in which they live as they prey on mammals which affect the human population negatively. Their role in controlling the population of certain mammals helps maintain a balanced ecosystem, highlighting their ecological importance.

This type of eagle is distributed on the coasts of northern Europe and Asia. They occupy the same ecological niche as the bald eagle, except outside of the Americas. They are also a type of sea eagle, meaning they are considered a type of water bird. Their length is about 90 cm and it has a wide wingspan of almost 2.5 meters. Their coloring is coffee with lighter tones on the head plumage. As their name suggests, they have characteristic white feathers on their tail. They are another eagle species that lives a long time and have a lifespan of over 25 years. In addition to their impressive lifespan, white-tailed eagles are also known for their strong pair bonds, often mating for life and displaying remarkable loyalty to their partners.

This species of eagle is endemic to Australia and southern New Guinea. It is a species that inhabits several different environments, but to nest it needs large trees (up to 30 meters tall) or, in the absence of trees, it can also nest on the edge of cliffs. Their wedge-shaped tail gives them their name and their wingspan is more than 2 meters. They are one of the largest types of eagles. Their reddish-brown plumage darkens as they age. This species was hunted because it was thought to attack cattle, but nowadays it is protected by law in Australia. Conservation measures have been instrumental in ensuring the survival of the wedge-tailed eagle, emphasizing the importance of legal protection in wildlife conservation efforts.

This species of eagle is endemic to the Philippine forests. Its plumage is brown and white, but they have a crest of white feathers around the head which give it the appearance of a lion. In addition, its irises are a distinctive gray-blue in color. They measure about 1 meter in length and their wingspan is over 2 meters. It is also known as the monkey-eating eagle as these animals are one of their main sources of food. This eagle species is listed as critically endangered due to pollution, illegal hunting, and mining. Efforts to save the Philippine eagle focus on habitat conservation, anti-poaching initiatives, and raising awareness about the importance of preserving this iconic species.

To know more about animal origin and how it affects ecosystems, take a look at our article on what are endemic species.

Native to sub-Saharan Africa, this species of eagle inhabits savannahs, forests, and semi-open areas. Its plumage is dark brown on the upper parts, but is paler on the breast and extremities. It is about one meter in length and its wingspan is over 2.6 meters. They are considered to be the largest type of eagle species in Africa and are able to hunt prey much larger than themselves. They have even been known to kill young antelope. While they cannot carry off a whole sheep, they are known to attack domestic livestock. Unfortunately, this has led to them being hunted extensively by humans as they protect their herds. Conservationists are working to change the perception of martial eagles and promote coexistence between them and local communities, emphasizing their role in maintaining ecological balance.

Eagles are differentiated from the rest of the diurnal raptors, such as hawks, falcons, and kites. In addition to belonging to another order (many of these species belong to the order Falconiformes), they are anatomically dissimilar. Despite all of these birds being birds of prey and living in similar habitats, there are some major differences between eagles and other birds of prey:

• Eagles are larger: their sizes differentiate within the group of birds considered eagles, but they generally are much larger than other diurnal raptors.
• Eagles are more robust: the body of eagles, in addition, is much more robust than most other raptors.
• Wing shape: eagles have very wide and large wings with primary feathers that sit like fingers located on the wingtips. This allows them to soar at dizzying heights. This is unlike hawks, for example, which have long, conical wings that end in a point.
• Beak shape: the beak of eagles is hooked, unlike that of hawks, and it does not have serrated edges. As they are a type of carnivorous animal, this curved beak is used to rip at the flesh of their prey.
• Speed: eagles are among the largest and strongest diurnal raptors. However, although they are fast and able to hunt in flight, hawks generally outperform them in this area by traveling at speeds of over 300 km/h.

As you can see from our list of types of eagles, too many are endangered, often due to human interference. Conservation efforts and awareness are crucial to ensuring that these majestic birds continue to grace our skies. To know more about animal endangerment, check out our video below:

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