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Wildlife Guide · Worldwide except Antarctica

Eagle

Family Accipitridae — ~60 eagle species in genera Aquila, Haliaeetus, Harpia, Pithecophaga and others

The apex raptors of sky and forest — power, vision and cultural reverence on every continent.

Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered)
A golden eagle with broad wings and a hooked beak soaring above mountain ridges, its talons tucked beneath its body.

Image: Source: Wikimedia Commons — verify license before production

In brief

Eagles are large birds of prey in the family Accipitridae — roughly 60 species worldwide; they are apex raptors with powerful talons and keen eyesight, with conservation status ranging from recovered (bald eagle) to Critically Endangered (Philippine eagle).

By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated

Eagles are large birds of prey in the family Accipitridae, found on every continent except Antarctica. Roughly 60 species share the eagle name, from the golden eagle of the Northern Hemisphere to the bald eagle of North America, the wedge-tailed eagle of Australia and the critically endangered Philippine eagle. Eagles are defined by size, power and hunting ecology rather than a single taxonomic group — they occupy the top of the raptor hierarchy with broad wings, massive talons and exceptional eyesight. Conservation status varies sharply: bald eagles recovered from DDT extinction to over 300,000 individuals, while the Philippine eagle and Spanish imperial eagle remain Critically Endangered. This guide covers eagles as a group; see WARN's harpy eagle guide for that specific species.

~60

Recognised eagle species worldwide

8×

Visual acuity compared with humans

300,000+

Bald eagles in North America after DDT recovery

Appendix I/II

CITES listing for most eagle species

Figures sourced from IUCN Red List — Accipitridae assessments, BirdLife International — Data Zone, Cornell Lab of Ornithology — eagle species .

Eagle: Quick Facts

Vital statistics and key facts about the Eagle
Species ~60 recognised eagle species
Vision ~8× sharper than human sight
Groups Sea eagles, booted eagles, forest eagles, snake eagles
Nests Massive eyries reused for decades
Recovery Bald eagle restored from near extinction after DDT ban
CITES Appendix I or II for most species

Scientific Classification

Scientific classification of the Eagle
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Accipitriformes
Family Accipitridae
Genera Aquila, Haliaeetus, Harpia, Pithecophaga and others

Conservation Status

IUCN Status
Varies by species. Bald eagle Least Concern after recovery; Philippine eagle Critically Endangered; Spanish imperial eagle Endangered.
Population
Varies — bald eagle 300,000+; Philippine eagle fewer than 400 pairs
Trend
Increasing for recovered species; decreasing for forest specialists
Assessed
Varies by species
CITES
Appendix I or II for most eagle species

See WARN harpy eagle guide for Harpia harpyja — distinct from this generic eagle hub.

Key Facts: Eagle

  • Eagles are large Accipitridae raptors — defined by size and power, not a single genus.
  • Roughly 60 eagle species range across every continent except Antarctica.
  • The bald eagle recovered from DDT near-extinction to over 300,000 individuals.
  • The Philippine eagle and Spanish imperial eagle are Critically Endangered.
  • Eagles pair for life and reuse massive nest structures for decades.
  • Habitat loss, persecution and pesticide poisoning remain threats for many species.

What makes an eagle?

'Eagle' is a common name for the largest and most powerful Accipitridae raptors, rather than a strict taxonomic category. Sea eagles (Haliaeetus — bald eagle, white-tailed eagle) fish in coastal and river habitats. Booted eagles (Aquila — golden eagle, wedge-tailed eagle) hunt mammals on open ground and mountains. Forest eagles (Harpia, Pithecophaga, Morphnus) are giant specialists of tropical canopy. Snake eagles (Circaetus) feed on reptiles. Each group occupies a distinct ecological niche. What unites them is size — most eagles weigh 3–7 kg or more — powerful grasping talons, broad wings for soaring and exceptional long-distance vision. An eagle's eyes fill much of the skull, with two foveae for forward and side focus simultaneously. That optical hardware lets a golden eagle spot a hare from three kilometres while riding a thermal. Because 'eagle' spans multiple genera, conservation status varies enormously. Always check species-level assessments rather than assuming all eagles share the same trajectory.

Sea eagles, golden eagles and forest giants

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is North America's national symbol, recovered from fewer than 500 breeding pairs in the lower 48 states to over 300,000 individuals after DDT was banned. The white-tailed eagle rebounded similarly across Europe. Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) range across the Northern Hemisphere, hunting hares, marmots and ground birds on open terrain. At the other extreme, the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) — Critically Endangered with fewer than 400 pairs — hunts monkeys and flying lemurs in remnant rainforest. The harpy eagle of Central and South America is covered in a separate WARN guide with full conservation detail for Brazil and Colombia. Steller's sea eagle of Russia and Japan, the wedge-tailed eagle of Australia and the African fish eagle each fill similar apex roles on different continents — proof that eagle ecology repeats wherever large prey and open air meet.

Threats and recovery

Eagles face diverse threats. DDT and other pesticides caused eggshell thinning and near-extinction for bald and white-tailed eagles before bans enabled recovery. Habitat loss — deforestation for forest eagles, wetland drainage for sea eagles — removes nesting and hunting grounds. Persecution persists: golden eagles are still poisoned and shot on grouse moors in Scotland; wedge-tailed eagles were persecuted by ranchers in Australia. Wind turbine collisions kill eagles at coastal and mountain migration routes. Lead ammunition in carrion poisons eagles that scavenge shot game. Illegal trade in feathers and live birds affects crested and forest eagle species. Recovery stories matter: the bald eagle's rebound shows that removing a chemical cause can restore a population within decades when habitat remains. Forest eagles lack that easy fix — they need intact canopy and anti-poaching patrols.

Eagles and human culture

Eagles hold extraordinary cultural significance. The bald eagle adorns the Great Seal of the United States; the golden eagle appears on flags and coats of arms across Eurasia; the Philippine eagle is a national symbol of the Philippines. Indigenous peoples across North America, Siberia and Australia revere eagles in ceremony and art. That cultural weight can aid conservation — public outrage over DDT-driven eagle declines helped catalyse pesticide regulation — or hinder it, when demand for eagle feathers or live birds fuels illegal trade. Ethical ecotourism that values living eagles supports habitat protection in range countries. For students and searchers, eagles exemplify why apex predators need space: huge territories, stable prey bases and freedom from poisoned carrion.

What WARN Does

WARN publishes this eagle guide as free public education. Our harpy eagle guide covers that Critically Endangered forest giant in detail; this page helps searchers understand the wider eagle family and the threats apex raptors face worldwide.

If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.

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How does the eagle compare?

Eagle vs Hawk →

Eagle: Frequently Asked Questions

How many eagle species are there?
Roughly 60 species worldwide, grouped in genera including Aquila (golden eagles), Haliaeetus (sea eagles), Harpia (harpy eagle), Pithecophaga (Philippine eagle) and others. 'Eagle' describes size and ecology, not a single genus.

What is the difference between an eagle and a hawk?
Eagles are generally larger and more powerful, with broader wings and heavier beaks. Hawks (buteos and accipiters) are typically smaller and more manoeuvrable. Both belong to Accipitridae — the distinction is size and hunting ecology.

Are bald eagles endangered?
No. Bald eagles recovered from near extinction — fewer than 500 breeding pairs in the lower 48 US states — to over 300,000 individuals after DDT was banned. They are now Least Concern.

Which eagle is most endangered?
The Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is Critically Endangered with fewer than 400 breeding pairs. The Spanish imperial eagle and Steller's sea eagle are also Endangered.

Do eagles mate for life?
Most eagle species form long-term pair bonds and return to the same nest site annually. Nests — called eyries — are massive stick structures reused and expanded for decades, sometimes reaching several metres across.

What do eagles eat?
Eagles eat Snake eagles (Circaetus) feed on reptiles. Eagles are large birds of prey in the family Accipitridae — roughly 60 species worldwide; they are apex raptors with powerful talons and keen eyesight, with conservation status ranging from recovered (bald eagle) to Critically Endangered (Philippine eagle).

Where do eagles live?
Eagles are found on every continent except Antarctica, from coastal estuaries to mountain ridges and tropical rainforest canopy. Roughly 60 recognised species occupy distinct niches: sea eagles along rivers and coasts, golden eagles on open Northern Hemisphere terrain, and Critically Endangered forest giants such as the Philippine eagle in remnant rainforest. Habitat loss, persecution and poisoned carrion remain threats even where species such as the bald eagle have recovered to over 300,000 individuals.

Are eagles dangerous?
Wild eagles rarely attack people unprovoked, but they are powerful raptors with massive talons and should never be approached, especially near nests called eyries. Golden eagles are still poisoned and shot on grouse moors in Scotland; wind turbines kill eagles at migration routes. Most species weigh 3–7 kg or more with broad wings for soaring. The Philippine eagle, with fewer than 400 breeding pairs, is Critically Endangered but poses no routine threat to humans.

How big is an eagle?
Most eagles weigh 3–7 kg or more, with broad wings for soaring and exceptionally keen eyesight. Size varies by species and group: the bald eagle has recovered to over 300,000 individuals in North America, while the Critically Endangered Philippine eagle is among the largest and rarest forest raptors, with fewer than 400 breeding pairs. 'Eagle' describes size and hunting ecology across roughly 60 species in family Accipitridae, not a single genus.

How long do eagles live?
Eagles are long-lived raptors that form pair bonds and return to the same nest site — called an eyrie — annually, reusing and expanding massive stick structures for decades, sometimes reaching several metres across. Lifespan varies by species; the Philippine eagle with fewer than 400 breeding pairs is Critically Endangered, while bald eagles recovered to over 300,000 individuals.

Sources & References

Population figures, conservation status and biological facts on this page are drawn from authoritative scientific and intergovernmental sources.

Terms used on this page

Plain-English definitions, from our wildlife and conservation glossary.

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