Eagle: A Magnificient Bird

Birds of prey are fascinating birds; said to be direct descendants from the raptor of pre-historic times, the most magnificient birds of the prey are EAGLES.

Eagles are diferent from many other birds of prey mainly by their large size, more powerful build and beak. Even the smallest eagles, have relatively longer and more evenly broad wings, and more direct faster flight. Most eagles are larger than any other raptors apart from the vulture. Like all birds of prey, eagles have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong muscular legs, and powerful talons. They also have extremly keen eyesight which enables them to spot potential prey from a very long distance. This keen eyesight is primarily contributed by their extremely large pupils which ensure minimal diffraction (scattering) of the incoming light.

There are about 59 kinds of Eagles and they fall into four different groups.

*Sea or Fish Eagles

*Snakes Eagles

*Harpy Eagles

*Booted Eagles

Sea or Fish Eagles

Sea or Fish eagles are large, powerful and long-winged eagles that have elaborate flight displays. These eagles do not have feathers on the lower part of their legs, but do have rough surfaces on the pads of their feet for holding slippery fish and have large beaks for penetrating fish skins. They are usually found near bodies of water.

Snakes Eagles

Snakes eagles are classified by their choice of food; snakes. They will feast upon a variety of snakes and are typically found in the forests and savannas of Africa, Australia and Europe.

Harpy Eagles

Harpy eagles can b identified by plumage atop their heads. There are six types of harpy eagles (crowned eagles, solitary eagles, New Guinea Eagles, crested eagles, Philippine Eagle and harpy eagles), and their habitat is found in the tropical lowland forests of Southern Brazil, Southern Mexico, and Northern Argentina. They prefer hunting in dense forests, and their diet mainly consists of monkeys, sloths and opossums. Occasionally harpy eagles feeds on smaller birds and reptiles. Typical or booted eagles range in size and shape from small accipiter-like hawk-eagles to large, long-winged, soaring eagles. This group includes the Golden Eagle, which is found around the world and has learned to hunt and eat almost anything it can catch. Golden eagles eat rabbits, snakes, squirrels, and other birds even small dogs.

We should take care of our forests where most of the eagles live, let's do no harm to them (eagle) for they are God's creature that adds beauty to our nature..

Resources:Wikipedia

Perigrinefund.org

ehow.com/eagle's diet

HELPGUIDE.org