eagle

eagle, common name for large predatory birds of the family Falconidae (hawk family), found in all parts of the world. Eagles are similar to the buteos, or buzzard hawks, but are larger both in length and in wingspread (up to 71/2 ft/228 cm) and have beaks nearly as long as their heads. They are solitary birds, said to mate for life. The nest, or aerie, of twigs and sticks is built at a vantage point high in a tree or on a cliff in a permanent feeding territory and is added to year after year, the refuse of the previous nests decomposing beneath the new additions. Nests can become enormous, measuring up to ten feet across and weighing well over 1,000 pounds. The eaglets (usually two) do not develop adult markings until their third year, when they leave parental protection and seek their own mates and territories.

The American bald (in the sense of white, as in piebald), or white-headed, eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus) is found in all parts of North America near water and feeds chiefly on dead fish (sometimes robbing the osprey's catch) and rodents. It is dark brown with white head, neck, and tail plumage. The northern species (found chiefly in Canada) is slightly larger than the southern, which ranges throughout the United States. With only 417 known breeding pairs in the 48 contiguous states in 1963, the bald eagle population was dwindling alarmingly; a decade later they were placed on the endangered species list. In one of the greatest success stories in species recovery, conservation methods such as the banning of DDT and the prohibition against eagle hunting had by the beginning of the 21st cent. increased the breeding population in the lower 48 states to some 5,000 pairs. In 1995 the bald eagle was removed from endangered status, and in 2007, when there were nearly 10,000 breeding pairs in the lower 48, it was removed from threatened status. The bald eagle (and golden eagle) continue to be protected by federal law.

The golden, or mountain, eagle (genus Aquila—whence aquiline, meaning eaglelike) is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, in the United States found mostly in the West. Unlike the bald eagle, it is an aggressive predator. In Asia it is trained to hunt small game (see falconry). The adult is sooty brown with tawny head and neck feathers; unlike those of the bald eagle, its legs are feathered to the toes. The gray and Steller's sea eagles (also in the genus Haliaetus) are native to colder areas of the Northern Hemisphere; the king or imperial eagle to S Europe and Asia; and the rare monkey-eating eagle to the Philippines. The harpy, or harpy eagle (Thrasyaetus harpyia), of Central and South America, the largest (38 in./95 cm long) of the hawks, eats macaws and sloths. It was named for the winged monsters of Greek myth and was called "winged wolf" by the Aztecs. New Zealand's extinct Haast's eagle, which had a 10-ft (3-m) wingspan and weighed 30% to 40% more than the harpy, was the top predator in the archipelago's ecosystem prior to the arrival of humans.

Eagles—impressive both in size and for their fearsome beauty—have long been symbols of royal power and have appeared on coins, seals, flags, and standards since ancient times. The eagle was the emblem of one of the Ptolemies of Egypt and was borne on the standards of the Roman armies and of Napoleon's troops. The American bald eagle became the national emblem of the United States by act of Congress in 1782. In folklore the eagle's ability to carry off prey, including children (e.g., the legend of Ganymede), has been exaggerated; even the powerful golden eagle can lift no more than 8 lb (3.6 kg).

Eagles are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, order Falconiformes, family Accipitridae.

Dark-brown eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) with golden, leaf-shaped nape feathers, dark eyes, gray beak, fully feathered legs, large yellow feet, and large talons. Its wingspread reaches almost 8 ft (2.3 m). It ranges from central Mexico (where it is the national bird) along the Pacific coast and through the Rocky Mountains to Alaska, and small numbers are found from Newfoundland to North Carolina. Also found in North Africa, it is more common across Russia, to southern China and Japan. It nests in cliff caves or in lone trees. The species is protected in the U.S.

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Any of many large, heavy-beaked, big-footed birds of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae, found worldwide. Eagles are generally larger and more powerful than hawks and may resemble a vulture in build and flight characteristics, but they have a fully feathered (often crested) head and strong feet equipped with great curved talons. Most species subsist mainly on live prey, which they generally capture on the ground. Eagles have been a symbol of war and imperial power since Babylonian times. They mate for life. They nest in inaccessible places and use the same nest each year. Species vary from 24 in. to 3.3 ft (60 cm–1 m) long. The sea eagles include the bald eagle. Seealso golden eagle.

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Species of sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) that occurs inland along rivers and large lakes. Strikingly handsome, it is the only eagle native solely to North America, and it has been the U.S. national bird since 1782. The adult, about 40 in. (1 m) long with a wingspan of 6.5 ft (2 m), is dark brown with white head and tail and yellow beak, eyes, and feet. Bald eagles snatch fish at the water surface, rob osprey of fish, and eat carrion. They nest in lone trees, often on river islands. Though still protected in the U.S., the bald eagle is no longer considered an endangered species.

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Eagles are large birds of prey which are members of the bird order Falconiformes and family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other genetically. 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 USA and Canada, a few more in Central and South America, and three in Australia.

Eagles are differentiated from other birds of prey mainly by their larger size, more powerful build, and heavier head and bill. 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.

Like all birds of prey, eagles have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, and powerful talons. They also have extremely keen eyesight to enable them to spot potential prey from a very long distance. This keen eyesight is primarily contributed by their extremely large pupils which cause minimal diffraction (scattering) of the incoming light.

In Britain before 1678, Eagle referred specifically to the Golden Eagle, the other native species, the White-tailed Eagle, being known as the Erne. The modern name "Golden Eagle" for Aquila chrysaetos was introduced by the naturalist John Ray.

Eagles build their nests, called eyries, in tall trees or on high cliffs. Many species lay two eggs, but the older, larger chick frequently kills its younger sibling once it has hatched.

Eagles are sometimes used in falconry. They appear prominently in myth and literature. In the Old World, such references are commonly to the Golden Eagle (or possibly closely related species found in warmer climates).

Major new research into eagle taxonomy suggests that the important genera Aquila and Hieraaetus are not composed of nearest relatives, and it is likely that a reclassification of these genera will soon take place, with some species being moved to Lophaetus or Ictinaetus.

• Bonelli's Eagle, the Booted Eagle and the Little Eagle have been moved from Hieraaetus to Aquila.
• Either the Greater Spotted Eagle and Lesser Spotted Eagle should move from Aquila to join the Long-crested Eagle in Lophaetus, or, perhaps better, all three of these species should move to Ictinaetus with the Black Eagle.
• The Steppe Eagle and Tawny Eagle, once thought to be conspecific, are not even each other's nearest relatives.

Species

FAMILY ACCIPITRIDAE

• Subfamily Buteoninae - hawks (buzzards), true eagles and sea-eagles
• Genus Geranoaetus
• Black-chested Buzzard-eagle, Geranoaetus melanoleucus
• Genus Harpyhaliaetus
• Crowned Solitary Eagle, Harpyhaliaetus coronatus
• Solitary Eagle, H. solitarius
• Genus Morphnus
• Crested Eagle, Morphnus guianensis

• Genus Harpia
• Harpy Eagle, Harpia harpyja
• Genus Pithecophaga
• Philippine Eagle, Pithecophaga jefferyi
• Genus Harpyopsis
• New Guinea Eagle, Harpyopsis novaeguineae
• Genus Oroaetus
• Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Oroaetus isidori
• Genus Spizaetus
• Cassin's Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus africanus
• Changeable Hawk-eagle, S. cirrhatus
• Mountain Hawk-eagle, S. nipalensis
• Blyth's Hawk-eagle, S. alboniger
• Javan Hawk-eagle, S. bartelsi
• Sulawesi Hawk-eagle, S. lanceolatus
• Philippine Hawk-eagle, S. philippensis
• Wallace's Hawk-eagle, S. nanus
• Black Hawk-eagle, S. tyrannus
• Ornate Hawk-eagle, S. ornatus
• Black-and-white Hawk-eagle, S. melanoleucus
• Genus Lophaetus
• Long-crested Eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis - possibly belongs in Ictinaetus
• Genus Stephanoaetus
• Crowned Hawk-eagle, Stephanoaetus coronatus
• Genus Polemaetus
• Martial Eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus
• Genus Hieraaetus
• Ayres' Hawk-eagle, Hieraaetus ayresii
• African Hawk Eagle, H. spilogaster
• New Guinea Hawk-eagle, H. weiskei

• Genus Harpagornis (extinct)
• Haast's Eagle, Harpagornis moorei - possibly belongs in either Hieraaetus or Aquila
• Genus Aquila
• Bonelli's Eagle, Aquila fasciata - formerly Hieraaetus fasciatus
• Booted Eagle, A. pennata - formerly Hieraaetus pennatus
• Little Eagle, A. morphnoides
• Golden Eagle, A. chrysaetos
• Eastern Imperial Eagle, A. heliaca
• Rufous-bellied Eagle, A. kienerii
• Spanish Imperial Eagle A. adalberti
• Steppe Eagle, A. nipalensis
• Tawny Eagle, A. rapax
• Greater Spotted Eagle, A. clanga - to be moved to Lophaetus or Ictinaetus
• Lesser Spotted Eagle, A. pomarina - to be moved to Lophaetus or Ictinaetus
• Indian Spotted Eagle, A. hastata - to be moved to Lophaetus or Ictinaetus
• Verreaux's Eagle, A. verreauxii
• Gurney's Eagle, A. gurneyi
• Wahlberg's Eagle, A. wahlbergi
• Wedge-tailed Eagle, A. audax
• Genus Ictinaetus
• Black Eagle, Ictinaetus malayensis
• Genus Haliaeetus
• White-tailed Eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla
• Bald Eagle, H. leucocephalus
• Steller's Sea-eagle, H. pelagicus
• African Fish-eagle, H. vocifer
• White-bellied Sea-eagle, H. leucogaster
• Sanford's Fish-eagle, H. sanfordi
• Madagascar Fish-eagle, H. vociferoides
• Pallas' Sea-eagle, H. leucoryphus
• Genus Ichthyophaga
• Lesser Fish-eagle, Ichthyophaga humilis
• Grey-headed Fish-eagle, I. ichthyaetus

• Subfamily Circaetinae: snake-eagles
• Genus Terathopius
• Bateleur, Terathopius ecaudatus
• Genus Circaetus
• Short-toed Eagle, Circaetus gallicus
• Black-chested Snake-eagle, C. pectoralis
• Brown Snake-eagle, C. cinereus
• Fasciated Snake-eagle, C. fasciolatus
• Banded Snake-eagle, C. cinerascens
• Genus Spilornis
• Crested Serpent-eagle, Spilornis cheela
• Nicobar Serpent-eagle, S. minimus
• Mountain Serpent-eagle,S. kinabaluensis
• Sulawesi Serpent-eagle, S. rufipectus
• Philippine Serpent-eagle, S. holospilus
• Andaman Serpent-eagle, S. elgini
• Genus Eutriorchis
• Madagascar Serpent-eagle, Eutriorchis astur

Eagles in culture

The word

The modern English name of the bird is derived from the Latin term aquila by way of the French Aigle. The Latin aquila may derive from the word aquilus, meaning dark-colored, swarthy, or blackish, as a description of the eagle's plumage; or from Aquilo, the Latin version of Greek Boreas, or north wind.

Old English used the term Earn, related to Scandinavia's Ørn / Örn. The etymology of this word is related to Greek ornis, literally meaning "bird". In this sense, the Eagle is the Bird with a capital B.

Eagles as national symbols

Eagles have been used by many nations as a national symbol.

• The coat of arms of Navarre/Basque Country Kingdom has a black eagle.
• The coat of arms of Albania has a black double-headed eagle.
• The coat of arms of Armenia has a gold eagle and lion.
• The coat of arms of Austria has a black eagle.
• The coat of arms of the Czech Republic integrates the symbols of Moravia and Silesia (both with female eagles in their emblems - red-and-white chequered and black respectively) on the coat of arms of the Czech Republic with Bohemia's lion.
• The coat of arms of Egypt is a golden eagle looking towards the viewer's left.
• The coat of arms of Germany has a black eagle.
• The coat of arms of Ghana has two golden eagles holding it.
• The coat of arms of Indonesia has an eagle-like garuda carrying a shield on its neck and a banner on its feet.
• The coat of arms of Iraq has the golden Eagle of Saladin
• The coat of arms of Jordan has a black eagle.
• The coat of arms of Mexico golden eagle perched upon a cactus devouring a snake.
• The coat of arms of Moldova consists of a stylized eagle holding a cross in its beak and a sceptre and a branch in its claws.
• The coat of arms of Montenegro represents the two-headed eagle in flight.
• The coat of arms of Nigeria has a red eagle on top.
• The Insignia of the Pakistan Air Force includes the Peregrine Falcon State Military national bird.
• The coat of arms of Panama has a harpy eagle
• The coat of arms of the Philippines has the bald eagle of the United States.
• The coat of arms of Poland has a white eagle with a golden beak and talons wearing a golden crown.
• The coat of arms of Romania has a golden aquila holding a cross in its beak and a mace and a sword in its claws.
• The coat of arms of Russia has a double-headed eagle.
• The coat of arms of Serbia has a white bicephalic eagle of the House of Nemanjić.
• The coat of arms of Syria formerly had the eagle of Saladin.
• The Great Seal of the United States has a bald eagle.
• The coat of arms of Yemen depicts a golden eagle with a scroll between its claws.
• The coat of arms of Nigeria has a red eagle on top.
• Hellenistic Egypt. The Ptolemaic rulers of Egypt used it as their seal.
• First French Empire. Napoleon Bonaparte used the Roman Golden Eagle as the symbol of his new French empire.
• Persian Empire. The symbol of Persian Army was an Eagle
• Rome. The Romans used it on the standards of their armies. From this derives:
• The late Byzantine Empire chose a two-headed golden eagle as its symbol. It is popularly that one head symbolised ancient Rome, and the other head symbolised "new Rome" at Constantinople. From this derives:
• Albania. The two-headed eagle is the emblem of "Shqipëria" or Land of the Eagles, which is known in English as Albania (see The Tale of the Eagle for the legendary origin of the name)
• Russian Empire. After the fall of Constantinople, the Russian Empire took the two-headed eagle as its own symbol.
• Charlemagne and Holy Roman Empire. After his crowning as the new Roman Emperor, Charlemagne adopted the ancient Roman eagle as his own symbol. The Holy Roman Empire born of his kingdom took the eagle, but the Habsburgs replaced the golden eagle by an imperial eagle. From this derives:
• Austria. The Austrian Empire had a two-headed eagle as its symbol. After the abolition of Austria-Hungary, Austria took as its symbol a one-headed eagle in the modern coat of arms of Austria.
• Germany and Prussia. Prussia, and later Germany have used a black eagle as their national symbol.
• Spain. The Catholic monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand, used the eagle as a part of the royal shield representing Saint John the Evangelist. The eagle was again on the Spanish shield under the Francoist regime and the transition to Democracy (1939-1981).
• The Seljuk Turks and Ottoman Turks used a double-headed eagle as coats-of-arms.

The eagle is the symbol used to depict John the Apostle in some Christian churches, whose writing most clearly witnesses the divinity of Christ. In art, John, as the author of the Gospel, is sometimes depicted with an eagle. See Names of John.

The eagle is a sacred bird in some cultures and the feathers of the eagle are central to many religious and spiritual customs, especially amongst Native Americans in the United States and First Nations in Canada, as well as among many of the peoples of Meso-America. Some Native American peoples revere eagles as sacred religious objects and the feathers and parts of Bald and Golden Eagles are often compared to the Bible and crucifix. Eagle feathers are often used in various ceremonies and are used to honor noteworthy achievements and qualities such as exceptional leadership and bravery. In the cultures of the Northwest Coast, Eagle is also a supernatural being and also the ancestor and features in the heraldic crests of important clans known as totem poles.

The Moche people of ancient Peru worshipped the animal and often depicted eagles in their art.

Despite modern and historic Native American practices of giving eagle feathers to non-indigenous people and also members of other tribes who have been deemed worthy, current United States eagle feather law stipulates that only individuals of certifiable Native American ancestry enrolled in a federally recognized tribe are legally authorized to obtain eagle feathers for religious or spiritual In Canada, poaching of eagle feathers for the booming U.S. market has sometimes resulted in the arrests of First Nations person for the crime.

Eagles as organizational symbols

• Munro. The image of a Golden Eagle is displayed the coat of arms of one of Scotland's most powerful clans, Munro. Gaelic Rothach.
• Greece. The double-headed eagle is the emblem of the Greek sport clubs AEK (black eagle with open wings on yellow background) and PAOK (black eagle with closed wings on white background, as a symbol of mourning). It is a symbol of the clubs' origins, since both clubs were founded by Greeks who fled to Greece from Constantinople in 1922-23. The eagle itself is derived from the later version of the Roman Eagle, the Byzantine- or East Roman eagle.
• Italy. The Roman eagle is the symbol of the Roman sports club S.S. Lazio.
• Nigeria. The Nigeria Football Association, the nation's football (soccer) governing body, has a green eagle perched on a football as its organisational symbol and logo. The Nigerian national football team is known as the 'Super Eagles', the under-20 youth team as the 'Flying Eagles', and the under-17 national side as the 'Golden Eaglets'. They all have an eagle as their symbol.
• Portugal. Eagle is the symbol of the Portuguese football team Sport Lisboa e Benfica.
• Philippines . The Philippine Monkey-eating Eagle is the de jure National Bird of the country.
• Turkey. Black Eagles is used for the Turkish sports club Beşiktaş J.K..Turkish Seljukian double headed eagle emblem.
• México. Eagle is the mascot form Club America´s football club, since 1981.
• Persian Empire: the symbol of the Persian army was an eagle

References

• Splitting headaches? Recent taxonomic changes affecting the British and Western Palaearctic lists - Martin Collinson, British Birds vol 99 (June 2006), 306-323
• Bruguier, Leonard. A Warrior's Eagle Feather

See also

• Eagle (heraldry)

External links

• Eagle photos on Oriental Bird Images
• PBS Nature: Eagles
• Eagle videos on the Internet Bird Collection
• Eagle photos - including chick in nest
• Web of the Conservation Biology Team-Bonelli's Eagle, of the University of Barcelona
• Eagle Conservation Alliance (ECA)