Eagles - North American Eagles, Eagles Elsewhere, Eagles And Humans
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Eagles are large, diurnal birds of prey in the subfamily Buteonidae, which also includes buzzards and other broad-winged hawks. The buteonids are in the order Falconiformes, which also includes falcons, osprey, goshawks, and vultures.
Like all of these predatory birds, eagles have strong, raptorial (or grasping) talons, a large hooked beak, and extremely acute vision. Eagles are broadly distinguished by their great size, large broad wings, wide tail, and their soaring flight. Their feet are large and strong, armed with sharp claws, and are well-suited for grasping prey. Some species of eagles are uniformly dark-brown colored, while others have a bright, white tail or head. Male and female eagles are similarly colored, but juveniles are generally dark. Female eagles are somewhat larger than males.
Species of eagles occur on all of the continents, except for Antarctica. Some species primarily forage in terrestrial habitats, while others are fish-eating birds that occur around large lakes or oceanic shores. Eagles are fierce predators, but they also scavenge carrion when it is available.
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The most familiar and widespread species of eagle in North America is the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Mature bald eagles have a dark-brown body, and a white head and tail. Immature birds are browner and lack the bold white markings on the tail and head. They gradually develop the rich adult plumage, which is complete when the birds are sexually mature at four to five
The harpy eagl…
The largest species of eagle is the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) of tropical forests of South America. This species mostly feeds on monkeys and large birds. The Philippine monkey-eating eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) and New Guinea harpy eagle (Harpyopsis novaguineae) are analogous species in Southeast Asia. The sea eagle or white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is a widespread species that bre…
Because of their fierce demeanor and large size, eagles have long been highly regarded as a symbol of power and grace by diverse societies around the world. Eagles have figured prominently in religion, mythology, art, literature, and other expressions of human culture. In North America, for example, the bald eagle is an important symbol in many Native American cultures. Many tribes believe that th…
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