Eagles are large birds of prey, with powerful hooked beaks and sharp claws. They are excellent fliers and can reach speeds of over 150 km/h (93 mph). Eagles have very sensitive eyesight and can detect prey from a great distance, with eyes that have three eyelids. Some of the better known species include the bald eagle of North America, the golden eagle of Europe and Asia, and the white-bellied sea eagle of Australia. Each species has some unique characteristics, other characteristics are found in eagles.

Eagles are very powerful predators and often take down animals much larger than themselves. Below is a list outlining eight interesting facts and characteristics of one of the most majestic apex predators in the animal kingdom.

8 characteristics of eagles

What is a trait?

A trait is a characteristic of an animal that is immediately apparent, such as eye color or skin pigmentation in humans. A trait is a specific variation of a characteristic that an individual has, such as blue eyes or brown eyes.

Sometimes, a population will evolve so that a certain trait becomes dominant in the population. This could make things like brown eyes an adaptation for this population, as other variations of eye color would no longer be expressed to ensure the survival of the population.

1. Large wingspan

The large wingspan of eagles is one of their most distinguishing features. Eagles have the largest wingspan of any bird of prey and this allows them to cover vast distances in search of food.

Additionally, the large wing surface area allows eagles to fly aloft for long periods of time, making them excellent hunters. Finally, eagles’ wings are very strong, allowing them to take down large prey. All of these factors together make the eagles’ large wingspan one of their most important characteristics.

2. Feather composition

Eagles have specially adapted feathers to help them fly. The structure of their fur is very light but also very strong. This allows them to fly into the air with ease and gives them the power to dive at high speeds when hunting.

The eagle’s feather structure is also designed to reduce drag and turbulence as it flies. This helps them maintain speed and flight control even in strong winds.

3. Multi-function tail

Some eagles have long, broad tails while others have short, square tails. All eagles have tails that help them fly by acting as a rudder.

The long and broad tails of some eagles help them make sharp turns when chasing prey. The short, square tails of other eagles help them fly straight and fast when migrating.

Eagles use their tails to signal to other eagles. When an eagle spreads its tail, it is a sign of aggression. When an eagle lowers its tail, it is a sign of submission.

4. Incredible eyesight

Eagles have incredible eyesight that allows them to see prey from great distances. Their eyes are four to eight times sharper than human eyes, and they can spot a rabbit or squirrel from up to two miles away!

Eagles also have binocular vision, meaning they can see an object with both eyes at the same time. This gives them depth perception and allows them to judge the distance of their prey.

But an eagle’s eyes are capable of more than just spotting potential meals. They also have excellent day and night vision thanks to the large number of light-sensitive cells in the retina. Although they do not hunt at night and have the best vision during the day, they can still see better at night than many animals.

5. Sharp beak

The eagle’s beak is one of its most prominent features. Eagles have large, strong beaks that are perfectly designed to tear apart their prey. Beaks are also useful in cracking nuts and hard-shelled fruits.

The inside of the eagle’s beak is lined with a thick layer of keratin, which helps protect the bird from injury. Eagles use their beaks for a variety of tasks, including preening, nest building, and self-defense.

6. Claws

Eagles have extremely powerful talons that they use to grip and tear apart their prey. Talons are the sharp talons at the end of the eagle’s toes.

They can grow up to 4 inches long and are extremely sharp and strong. Eagles use their claws to grip their prey and then use their beak to tear apart their prey. Claws are one of the eagles’ most important hunting tools and allow them to take down large prey.

7. Special colors

Eagles are one of the most recognizable birds in the world, thanks in part to their impressive size and striking colors. Although different eagle subspecies may vary in appearance, they all share some physical characteristics such as distinctive coloration, with most birds having dark brown bodies and wings, heads and white or light tail. This coloration provides excellent camouflage when the eagle perches in a tree, waiting to ambush its prey.

8. Daytime lifestyle

Eagles are diurnal animals meaning they are active during the day. This may be because their prey is also active during the day and their vision is slightly reduced at night compared to the day. Eagles use their keen eyesight to spot prey from great distances and then use their powerful talons to catch and kill it.