EAGLE
				Phylum: Class: Order: Family: Species: Chordata Aves Falconiformes Accipitridae Haliaetus leucocephalus (bald), Spizaetus coronatus (crowned), Aquila chrysaetos (golden), Haliaeetus vocifer (fish), Polemaetus bellicosus (martial)

One of the most amazing and majestic creatures on the planet, the eagle creates awe among many. As birds of prey, these birds belong to the hawk family, as well as harriers and vultures.

A large powerful bird with a hooked beak, strong curved talons, and sharp eyesight, the eagle has been a symbol of power and courage since ancient times. Eagles are found worldwide, in both northern mountainous regions and equatorial forests. The golden eagle is the most known species, having feathered legs found in many eagles. The sea eagles, of which the bald eagle is one, have naked lower legs. Among the most splendid birds of prey are the harpy eagle and the martial eagle.

The bald eagle is one of the sea eagles and is famous as the national emblem of the United States. Until about seven years old, the bald eagle looks very much like the golden eagle, for it has not yet developed the distinctive white feathers on the head and tail, which give the bird its popular name. Once common throughout North America, the bald eagle became rare due to hunting, loss of habitat, and the harmful effects of pesticides. However, conservation programs have been helpful in increasing the bald eagle population. These birds build their nests in trees or on cliffs, feeding on fish, rabbits, waterfowl, and even young deer.

The crowned eagle is a beautiful creature that gets its name from the crest of black and white feathers on top of its head. It is the most powerful of the African eagles, although smaller than the martial eagle. The reach up to 30 inches in length (76 cm), and have broad rounded wings and long tail of the typical forest eagle. It is seldom seen, for it flies just above or within the forest canopy when hunting, and its nest is hidden in treetops. Only the scattered bones of its prey beneath the nest site reveal the eagle's presence. Crowned eagles mostly prey on mammals, especially small antelopes and monkeys.

The golden eagle is magnificent to observe. It has been thought of as a royal bird. In the Middle Ages, only kings could hawk with a golden eagle, and it has remained perhaps the most admired of all birds of prey. Its range extends right across the northern hemisphere. The golden eagle is up to 3 feet in length (90 cm), and the female is larger than the male. The plumage is dark brown, and in flight it spreads its broad wings with the main primary feathers separated and curving upward, as does the smaller buzzard.

This eagle lives in open mountainous country, hunting over a wide territorial range. It preys mainly on rabbits, hares, and other mammals, together with birds, snakes, and occasionally carrion. Eagles pair for life, and will often hunt together, cooperating to attack prey. The nest, either on a rock ledge or in a tree, is used from year to year and is known as an eyrie. The golden eagle normally lays two eggs, the helpless chicks being fed by the parents until they leave the nest at the age of about 10 weeks. Contrary to legend, there are few recorded cases of golden eagles attacking people.

The fish eagle is found all over Africa south of the Sahara. About the size of a herring gull, it lives along rivers, lakes, and seahorses. The eagle usually feeds on fish, which it catches in its talons as it flies slowly over the surface of the water. A beautiful black-and-white bird, the fish eagle has a characteristic yelping cry. Usually seen in pairs, fish eagles spend much of their time perched in trees on the lookout for prey.


The martial eagle is the largest African eagle. It is found south of the Sahara, usually in grassland or semidesert. Like the crowned eagle, it has a crest of feathers on its head. It has large wings which span out to nearly 10 feet (3 m), and its plumage is dark gray, with white speckled underparts. Martial eagles prey on small mammals and birds, swooping down on their victims from a great height. Unfairly persecuted by farmers, these shy eagles do less damage to domestic animals than was formerly thought.