13 Different Types of Eagles

Eagles are well-known birds that are familiar to everyone due to their formidable appearance, large wingspan, and ability to hunt large prey.

However, were you aware that there are different types of eagles worldwide?

Eagles may be found worldwide in various species with unique characteristics and subspecies.

Even though they are all members of the same family, their physical appearances and characteristics are clearly very different.

Let us spend today learning about the different types of eagles you may find worldwide.

Characteristics of an Eagle

The Eagle is a member of the Accipitridae family, a part of the Accipitriformes order.

It is a popular prey species with a huge, heavy, gigantic beak. Its head is covered in feathers, it has excellent flight abilities, and it is quite a hefty creature overall.

Eagles would much rather capture their prey while it is still alive. They hunt sloths, monkeys, and other similar animals and nest in very tall trees.

Eagles come in various kinds and species, each with its distinct appearance; nonetheless, they almost always have dark brown, black, or gray feathers.

They are indigenous to several different nations and continents, except for Antarctica.

There are approximately 60 species of eagles on this planet, most of which are endemic to Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Classification of Eagle Species

There are many different types of eagles worldwide; nevertheless, they can be categorized into subgroups based on the unique qualities they share with other species.

1. Serpent Eagles

The serpent eagles are the most prevalent type of Eagle native to the continents of Asia and Africa.

The popular species known as serpent eagles are birds of prey that hunt and pursue snakes and other reptiles.

These different types of eagles have beaks that are exceptionally sharp and powerful and a vision that is clear, distant, and incredibly quiet.

They stand out from other species as exceptional hunters because the natural environment imparts them sharpness, clarity, and power.

However, compared to other species of eagles, they are not quite as large as other eagles.

2. Hawk Eagles

Because of their striking resemblance to hawks, these different types of eagles were nicknamed “Hawk eagles.

On the other hand, these are quite distinct from hawks, and their populations are denser in tropical regions, particularly around South America, Asia, and Africa.

They have pronounced crests towards the tops of their heads and are about average in size.

One of the most well-known types of hawk-eagle is the martial Eagle, which is among the largest members of its species.

3. True Eagles

Most of the world’s true eagle species are prevalent in India and other nations in Asia and Africa.

They have powerful, long, feathered legs that can stretch down to their feet. They also have heavy beaks, head features, and hooks.

Compared to other types of eagles, they appear to be considerably bigger. Spotted and tawny eagles are the most frequent and well-known species of genuine eagles.

4. Sea Eagles

The eagles of the sea are currently among the largest species of eagles. These eagles can live near large amounts of water and subsist on fish, ducks, and snails.

This particular species of Eagle has existed for more than 12 million years, making it among the longest-lived eagles.

One of the most well-known sea eagle species that may be found in Asia is called the Steller sea eagle.

Different Types of Eagles in the World

1. Bald Eagle

The American Bald Eagle is not only one of the world’s most well-known eagle types but is also widely recognized as the national bird of the United States of America.

It is extremely simple to identify, and they are found across North America, Canada, and Mexico.

Eagles of this species live in and around woodlands, rivers, mountains, and marshes and can weigh more than 8 kilograms.

The head and neck of many bald eagles are covered with white feathers, and the rest of their plumage is brown.

2. Spanish Imperial

The Spanish Imperial Eagle, also known as the Iberian Eagle, is most common along the coast and in mountain ranges.

These different types of eagles can grow to be over 80 centimeters in length and have wings that span over 2 meters.

The brown feathers with white stripes are characteristic of the Spanish Imperial Eagle, which you can find only on the Iberian Peninsula.

Unfortunately, these species are currently among those that are in danger of becoming extinct.

3. Golden Eagle

There are significant populations of golden eagles in many parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.

Even agricultural areas, fields, mountains, and woods do not escape their presence; they nest around the cliffs or on the tops of trees in these environments.

These eagles are simple to identify because of the brown and golden coloration near their heads. Their wings can spread to more than 2 meters and weigh over 6 kilograms each.

4. Bonelli’s Eagle

The Bonelli’s Eagle is a species indigenous to the region surrounding the Mediterranean basin in Southeast Asia.

They have brownish plumage with solid brown stripes on the body and mostly reside in mountainous regions.

The length of the Bonelli’s is above 70 centimeters, while the span of its wings is over 180 centimeters.

There are just a handful of nations in Europe that have acknowledged the Bonelli as being in jeopardy of extinction due to illegal hunting and the degradation of their habitat.

5. Harpy Eagle

The majority of harpy eagles may thrive in the rainforests and jungles of northern Argentina and Central America.

These different types of eagles are among the biggest species in their family and the most powerful members of their genus.

They have white and gray color shade feathers on their bodies. Their wingspan exceeds 2 meters, and they are renowned for their incredible flying abilities, which they use to hunt their prey.

6. Black and Chestnut Eagle

Eagles of the Black and chestnut varieties are native to the South American continent and the nations near Argentina and Venezuela.

They make their homes in the Andean woods, jungles, and areas surrounding those habitats.

As the name suggests, these eagles have very dark plumage with black stripes running through it.

Because of habitat loss and the shrinking number of suitable nesting areas, several bird species, including the Black and Chesnut eagles, are in danger of becoming extinct.

7. Steller’s Sea Eagle

Several kinds of sea eagles are endemic to North-East Asia, and the Stellar’s sea eagle is one of them.

They are one of the largest eagle species ever documented, second only to the Harpy Eagle in terms of size.

They dwell around the shores of Northeast Asia. This sea eagle species has a wing span over 2.5 meters, making it one of the longest.

They are easy to recognize thanks to their strong beaks and yellow legs. When viewed from the shadow, their plumage and body are brown and white.

8. Crowned Eagle

The crowned eagles originate from the sub-Saharan parts of Africa and are native to the thick woods in and around the region.

They are considerably smaller than the other eagles and have wings approximately 1.8 meters long.

The plumage of the crowned edge eagles is dark red, spotted with a cream color. They appear to be somewhat more spherical and smaller in size.

These different types of eagles typically stay within the confines of the forests where they live and do not venture beyond their borders, not even for hunting. They hunt mammals as their prey.

9. White-Tailed Eagle

The coastal areas of Asia and Northern Europe are home to white-tailed eagles. They are water birds due to their membership in the family of sea eagles.

The wingspan of the white-tailed Eagle is almost 2.5 meters, and its head plumage is a lighter color than the white feathers that cover its tail. It is common knowledge that these eagles can live for over 25 years.

10. Wedge-Tailed Eagle

Wedge-tailed eagles are endemic to Australia and southern New Guinea. They nest on the edge of cliffs or the branches of very tall trees (more than 30 meters).

They have rusty brown feathers and are among the largest types of eagles. Their uniqueness lies in their plumage getting darker as they age.

11. Philippine Eagle

This species of Eagle is indigenous to the jungles of the Philippines, as its name suggests.

They are not as well-recognized as eagles. Their plumage is a shade of brown and white, and they have white feathers surrounding their heads.

These different types of eagles get their meals primarily from monkeys and are known even more for their impressive soaring abilities than for the primates themselves.

Regrettably, they are on the verge of extinction due to illegal hunting and pollution concerns.

12. Martial Eagle

The martial eagle is an indigenous bird to Sub-Saharan Africa. It is found in the Savannahs, semi-open areas, and forest settings.

They are one of the largest eagle species found in Africa and have a wing span greater than 2.6 meters.

Eagles of this species seek out prey renowned for their notoriety, ferocity, and strength. The upper parts of these eagles and their plumage are dark brown.

13. Verreaux’s Eagle

This majestic Eagle weighs about 9 pounds and soars above Southern and Eastern Africa’s highlands and mountain ranges.

Because of its 7.7-foot wing span, it is quite easy to identify. Rock hyraxes make up the overwhelming majority of this animal’s food.

In addition, this species of Eagle is found nearly entirely in arid, rocky areas known as kopjes.

The male of these eagles is known to deliver food to the female Eagle before laying her egg, which is unusual for eagles. After that, he brings nearly all the food while she tends to the egg and keeps it warm.

Despite being out gathering food, the male spends about half the day sitting on the eggs, while the female does all of the incubating virtually during the night.

Sometimes, the female lays two eggs spaced out over three days. In most cases, the elder sibling will end the baby’s life once it has hatched.

Unfortunately, only about half of the time do older siblings reach the point where they can support themselves.

Interesting Facts About Eagles

There are a few intriguing things to learn about different types of eagles, even though many eagle bird species are found worldwide.

• The eyesight of an eagle is more than eight times more acute than a human’s.
• Their eyes are enormous and often take up most of their heads. They can distinguish between five colors and even detect UV light.
• They have a strong grip, even superior to that of humans.
• Few eagles can even hunt huge goats, foxes, and deer.
• Eagles are decently strong and can carry huge loads, even those weighing more than 7 kilograms.