Eagle

This article is about the broad family of birds. For other meanings, see Eagle (disambiguation).

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Eagle
Closeup view of an Australian Wedge-tailed Eagle showing the hooked beak. Larger image
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Accipitriformes* Family: Accipitridae Genera: Aquila, Haliaeetus, Pithecophaga, Circaetus (*) Scientists argue whether Accipitriformes are a separate order, or belong to the Falconiformes.

Collective name for a group of large predatory birds. Eagles are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, order Falconiformes, family Accipitridae. Eagles are found in almost all parts of the world.

The eagle has been used by many nations as a national symbol, depicting both power and beauty. The Ptolemaic rulers of Egypt used it as their seal, while the Romans used it on the standards of their armies. The United States adopted the North American Bald Eagle as its national emblem.

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 distance.

Species

Genus Aquila. Typical eagles.

• Golden Eagle Aquila chryaetos
• Tawny Eagle[?] Aquila rapas
• Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca
• Spotted Eagle[?] Aquila clanga
• Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax
• Lesser-spotted Eagle[?] Aquila pomarina
• Steppe Eagle[?] Aquila nipalensis

Lesser-spotted Eagle

Steppe Eagle

Genus Haliaeetus, Sea eagles:

• Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
• White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla
• White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster

Genus Pithecophaga, Monkey-eating eagles:

• Philippine Eagle Pithecophaga jefferyi

Genus Circaetus, Snake eagles:

• Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus

The Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle are the only eagles native to North America.

External link

• Wiktionary: Eagle (http://wiktionary.org/wiki/Eagle)