EAGLES

The fish eagle skims low over the water, catching fish in its talons.

The female golden eagle usually lays two eggs, but one chick often kills the other. The killer then gets all the food and grows very quickly.

The eagle is the common name for a number of diurnal birds of prey, some of which are the largest members of their family, which also includes buzzards, hawks, kites and certain vultures.

The name eagle is somewhat loosely applied, as many of the birds are not closely related.

The golden eagle inhabits most of the northern hemisphere.

Males are smaller, as is true for most birds of prey.

Most golden eagles nest on cliff ledges, but some nest in large trees. The nest, which is used from year to year, is large and built of sticks and twigs.

Golden eagles mainly eat mammals, ranging in size from mice to deer.

There are eight other species in the golden eagle's genus, all in Eurasia.

The sea eagles are not closely related to golden eagles. They inhabit coastal regions and the vicinity of lakes and streams, feeding primarily on fish.

The bald eagle belongs to this group. The name bald is derived from an obsolete word meaning marked with white, and does not imply a lack of feathers.

Compared to other eagles, the bald eagle is a clumsy hunter and fisher, and for its prey it relies mainly on dead or injured fish, or those that enter shallow water to spawn. It also steals fish from the osprey.

Tropical eagles are among the largest birds of prey in the world.

The Eurasian counterpart of the harpy eagle, and similar to it in weight, is the Philippine or monkey-eating, eagle, the national bird of the Philippines.

A pair of bald eagles built a nest measuring and incredible 2.9m wide, and 6m deep. It was examined in 1963 and estimated to weigh more than 2 tonnes.

Natural currents of hot air rise into the sky. They are called thermals. Eagles use these thermals to lift them higher in the air.

If you are a small, scurrying creature, it would be handy to know how to spot an eagle before it spots you. Keep an eye out for giveaway signs; wings with finger-like tips and a wide tail.

The bateleur eagle feeds mostly on carrion. It makes fierce attacks on other carrion-feeding birds and robs them of their nosh.

The harpy eagle is the largest eagle in the world and has feet the size of an adult's hand. It uses its enormous talons to snatch pret such as howler monkeys or sloths from the branches.