English: DID YOU KNOW!!!

Eagles are large birds of prey which are members of the bird family Accipitridae and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. The eagle has always been considered as the king of birds, on account of its great strength, rapidity and elevation of flight, natural ferocity, and the terror it inspires into its fellows of the air.

There are more than 60 different species of eagle. Eagles have a lifespan between 14 and 35 years in the wild, depending on species. They are large, powerfully built birds of prey, with a heavy head and beak.

The eagle eye is among the strongest in the animal kingdom, with an eyesight estimated at 4 to 8 times stronger than that of the average human. An eagle is said to be able to spot a rabbit 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) away. Although an eagle may only weigh 4.5 kg (10 pounds), its eyes are roughly the same size as those of a human.

Their eyes don’t move much in the eye socket, but an eagle can rotate its head about 270 degrees, just like an owl can, to look around. Eagles also have a clear eyelid that protects their precious eyes from dust and dirt.

Some eagles are built with short wings and long tails enabling them to hunt in the tight confines of a forest, while others have short tails and broad long wings allowing them to soar high above open plains and water. Some eagles can fly hundreds of kilometers while foraging for their food.

Eagles are carnivores, which means that they feed only on meat. They mostly hunt their prey, though some species actively hunt more than others. Prey includes fish, rabbits, marmots, hares, ground squirrels, mice, and sometimes slow-flying birds, reptiles, martens, foxes, and even deer. Some species of eagles are scavengers, which means that they primarily eat fish and animals that are already dead.

Eagles normally build their nests, called eyries, in tall trees or on high cliffs. Male and female eagles build the nest together. Both eagles will bring sticks to add to the nest structure and arrange them within the nest. The nest building activity is part of their pair bonding.

Eagles are often informally divided into four groups: Sea eagles or fish eagles take fish as a large part of their diets, either fresh or as carrion; Booted eagles so-called because feathers grow down the legs and cover the toes; Snake or serpent eagles are, as the name suggests, adapted to hunting reptiles; Harpy eagles or “giant forest eagles” are large eagles that inhabit tropical forests.

Golden eagles can reach maximum air speed of 320 kilometers (200 miles) per hour!

The eagle represents spiritual protection, carries prayers, and brings strength, courage, wisdom, illumination of spirit, healing, creation, and a knowledge of magic.

The modern word eagle was derived from Latin: aquila by way of French: aigle. The origin of aquila is unknown, but it is believed to possibly derive from either aquilus (meaning dark-colored, swarthy, or blackish) as a reference to the plumage of eagles or from aquilo (meaning north wind).