Eagles are large, powerful birds of prey that are found on every continent except Antarctica. Known for their sharp vision, strong hooked beaks, and massive talons, eagles are apex predators in their ecosystems.

There are over 60 different species of eagles in the world, with great diversity in size, coloration, habitat preferences, and hunting strategies. Some eagle species are endangered while others remain widespread and abundant.

This article provides an extensive overview of eagle diversity, including a compiled list of all eagle species and details on their identification, range, ecology, and conservation status. Read on to learn more about these regal birds that capture the human imagination like no other.

Full List of All Eagle Species

Below is a comprehensive list of all eagle species worldwide. Eagles belong to several different genera within the larger Accipitridae family of diurnal birds of prey.

The list includes the common name, scientific name, and range for each species. Eagles are then grouped below by genus.

True Eagles (Genus Aquila)

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) – Northern Hemisphere
Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) – Europe & Asia
Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti) – Spain & Portugal
Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax) – Africa & Arabia
Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) – Europe & Asia
Indian Spotted Eagle (Aquila hastata) – Asia
Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) – Europe & Asia
Verreaux’s Eagle (Aquila verreauxii) – Africa
Gurney’s Eagle (Aquila gurneyi) – Africa
Wahlberg’s Eagle (Aquila wahlbergi) – Africa
Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax) – Australia
Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata) – Southern Europe, Africa & Asia

Sea and Fish Eagles (Genus Haliaeetus)

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) – North America
White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) – Asia & Australasia
Sanford’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus sanfordi) – Solomon Islands
African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) – Sub-Saharan Africa
Madagascar Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vociferoides) – Madagascar
Pallas’s Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus) – Asia
Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) – North Pacific

Snake Eagles (Genus Circaetus)

Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) – Southern Europe, Africa & Asia
Black-chested Snake Eagle (Circaetus pectoralis) – Sub-Saharan Africa & Arabia
Brown Snake Eagle (Circaetus cinereus) – Sub-Saharan Africa & Arabia
Fasciated Snake Eagle (Circaetus fasciolatus) – Sub-Saharan Africa
Banded Snake Eagle (Circaetus cinerascens) – Sub-Saharan Africa

Hawk-Eagles (Genus Nisaetus & Spizaetus)

Mountain Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus nipalensis) – Asia
Legge’s Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus kelaarti) – Sri Lanka & India
Sulawesi Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus lanceolatus) – Sulawesi
Philippine Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus philippensis) – Philippines
Javan Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi) – Java
Black Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus malaiensis) – South Asia & Southeast Asia
Changeable Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus) – South & Southeast Asia
Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus nanus) – Indonesia & East Timor
African Hawk-Eagle (Aquila spilogaster) – Sub-Saharan Africa
New Guinea Hawk-Eagle (Hieraaetus weiskei) – New Guinea
Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle (Hieraaetus ayresii) – South & Southeast Asia
African Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus) – Sub-Saharan Africa
Black Solitary Eagle (Buteogallus solitarius) – Middle America & South America
Crested Eagle (Morphnus guianensis) – Central & South America
Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) – Central & South America
Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) – Philippines

Martial Eagles (Genus Polemaetus)

Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) – Sub-Saharan Africa

Eagle Identification and Characteristics

All eagles share several physical and behavioral traits that set them apart from other birds of prey. Here are some tips for identifying an unknown bird of prey as an eagle:

Large size – Eagles are substantially larger than hawks and other smaller raptors. They have long, broad wings and a heavy build.
Powerful hooked beak – The beak is large, heavier than in hawks, and curved downwards for tearing prey.
Strong legs – An eagle’s legs are entirely feather-free and very muscular to allow them to grip large prey items. Their feet have large, sharp talons.
Soaring flight – Eagles are adept soarers, often riding thermal updrafts while scanning below for prey. Their broad wings are well-adapted to soaring flight.
White markings – The heads and tails of adult eagles are usually white or lightly colored. Immature eagles can appear mostly dark overall.
Solitary nature – Outside of breeding season, eagles are usually seen alone rather than in groups or pairs.

Not all eagles have all these exact traits, but most share the overall large, powerful, soaring predatory theme. Exceptions include the snake eagles which have shorter wings for forest hunting and the Philippine Eagle which perches more than it soars.

Eagle Size Differences

Eagles range greatly in size, with wingspans from 0.5 m in some of the smallest species up to 2.5 m in the largest eagles.

The Philippine Eagle and Steller’s Sea Eagle are the longest and heaviest eagles, but the Harpy Eagle and Golden Eagle also rank among the largest.

Smaller eagle species include the Snake Eagles, Booted Eagles, and Hawk-Eagles. The endangered Philippine Eagle is not only massive in size but also has exceptionally long wings.

Wing shape also differs among species, with longer, broader wings suited to soaring flight and shorter wings allowing greater maneuverability in forested habitats.

Habitats and Diets

Eagles occupy diverse ecosystems across the world. Different groups fill distinct niches based on the local conditions.

Habitats

Mountain ranges – Golden Eagles and other upland species hunt alpine meadows and barren slopes.
Coastlines – Fish and sea eagles patrol coasts and major waterways.
Tropical forests – Crested Eagles, Philippine Eagles, and hawk-eagles occupy dense lowland and mountain forests.
Grasslands/savannas – Open country provides habitat for Martial Eagles, Tawny Eagles, and Steppe Eagles.
Boreal forest – Northern Holarctic forests support Golden Eagles, Eastern Imperial Eagles, and other northern species.
Deserts – Desert-dwelling eagles include the Long-crested Eagle and Bonelli’s Eagle.

Diets

Mammalian – Large soaring eagles like the Golden Eagle hunt rabbits, hares, ground squirrels, and foxes. Several species preferentially target monkeys and lemurs.
Ornithophagous – Snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises and other reptiles are the primary prey for Short-toed Snake Eagles and African Snake Eagles.
Piscivorous – Fish and carrion make up the bulk of the diet for fish/sea eagles including the iconic Bald Eagle.
Varied – More generalized eagle species will opportunistically hunt any small vertebrates including birds, mammals, and reptiles.

Hunting Techniques

Soaring – Many open country eagles soar high overhead to spot prey animals below. They can swoop down rapidly to strike.
Perch hunting – Forest-dwelling eagles often perch quietly then attack unsuspecting prey items with short pursuit flights.
Wading – Fish and sea eagles will wade into shallow water and snatch fish at the surface. Some even swim short distances.
Scavenging – Along the coast, eagles will scavenge the carcasses of fish, seabirds, seals, and whales. Bald Eagles frequently engage in scavenging behavior.
Cooperative hunting – The famous Martial Eagle uses cooperative hunting strategies, with one bird flushing prey towards its partner.

Eagle Conservation Status and Threats

Many eagle populations face serious threats from habitat loss, poisoning, and human persecution. Eagle conservation status varies greatly:

Endangered – Philippine Eagle, Madagascar Fish Eagle, Pallas’s Fish Eagle
Near threatened – Bateleur, White-tailed Eagle
Decreasing – Golden Eagle, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea Eagle
Stable – Bald Eagle, African Fish Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle
Unknown – Short-toed Snake Eagle, Black-chested Snake Eagle

Major threats that lead to declining numbers:

Habitat degradation – Logging, development, and agriculture reduce nesting and hunting grounds.
Prey declines – Habitat loss also threatens eagle prey species, limiting food resources.
Poisoning – Scavenging poisoned carcasses leads to accidental mortality. Some poisons target eagles intentionally.
Persecution – Direct hunting and trapping of eagles persists in some areas. Power lines and wind turbines add to unnatural deaths.
Disturbance – Human activity near nest sites impacts breeding success. Ecotourism sometimes stresses wild eagle populations.

Top 10 Most Interesting and Unique Eagle Species

Of the 60-plus eagle species, these 10 stand out for their distinctive traits and fascinating ecological roles:

1. Harpy Eagle

Massive rainforest hunter with enormous claws for grabbing monkey and sloth prey. One of the world’s strongest and largest eagle species.

2. Golden Eagle

This Holarctic species has been intensively studied; famous for complex social behavior and mediated territorial disputes.

3. Bald Eagle

The iconic American national symbol rebounded from the brink of extinction. Generalist fish and carrion feeder.

4. African Crowned Eagle

A little-known but powerful forest eagle, named for its stunning head crest. It targets monkeys and hyraxes.

5. Steller’s Sea Eagle

One of the heaviest eagles. Feeds on fish, seals, and whale carcasses in coastal Russia and Japan.

6. Philippine Eagle

The rare, endangered flagship raptor of the Philippines. It has exceptionally long wings adapted for forest hunting.

7. Martial Eagle

Specialized on birds and uses teamwork tactics to hunt Guinea fowl and other large avian prey.

8. Snake Eagles

A unique raptor group with short wings, slender build, and specialized diet of snakes and lizards.

9. Fish and Sea Eagles

These wide-ranging eagles feast on fish and carrion in riparian and coastal habitats on multiple continents.

10. Bonelli’s Eagle

Smaller, subtly-patterned eagle of Europe, Asia and Africa. It favors scrubby areas and hunts birds and small mammals.

Eagle Conservation Efforts and Success Stories

Many eagle populations are recovering thanks to conservation initiatives. Public awareness and legal protections have allowed several species to rebound after steep declines.

Bald Eagle Recovery

The American Bald Eagle reached perilously low numbers in the 1950s and 60s before the banning of DDT allowed it to rapidly rebuild populations across North America. Bald Eagles went from fewer than 500 pairs to over 300,000 birds today.

Reintroductions

Non-native populations have been successfully established for Golden Eagles in Ireland and White-tailed Eagles in Britain through careful reintroduction programs using imported chicks.

Legal Protection

Laws like the U.S. Eagle Act protect eagles from direct persecution. The Endangered Species Act also designates habitat to prevent losses to development and logging.

Ecotourism

Managed eagle-watching tourism contributes financial incentives to conserve iconic species like the African Fish Eagle and Philppine Eagle.

Education

Outreach campaigns help mitigate human-wildlife conflicts that arise from perceived threats posed by eagles to agriculture and ranching.

Conclusion

Eagles are powerful sentinels of the skies that captivate human imaginations. Over 60 eagle species fill diverse ecological roles on every continent except Antarctica. While many eagles still face conservation challenges, public awareness and legal protections have allowed populations of these majestic birds to stabilize and even rebound after historic declines. Moving forward, further conservation efforts focused on preserving habitats and mitigating human impacts will help determine the ultimate fate of the world’s eagles.

Major Eagle Groups

True Eagles

The true eagle group (Aquila genus) includes nearly a dozen large, opportunistic species that occupy open habitats across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

This group includes some of the most widespread eagle species like the Golden Eagle, as well as rarer endemics such as the Spanish Imperial Eagle.

Diverse Eagle Lineup

The Aquila members are a diverse lineup of true eagles filling broad niches across the Northern Hemisphere. Here are some of the notable members of this genus:

Golden Eagle – The Holarctic banner species; intensively studied with complex social systems.
Imperial Eagles – Represented by the Spanish Imperial Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, and others primarily in Europe/Asia.
Tawny Eagle – Ranges over Africa and Arabia feeding on rodents, birds, and carrion.
Lesser Spotted Eagle – Summers in Europe and Asia; winters in Africa. Favors wetlands.
Bonelli’s Eagle – A smaller species occupying open areas from Mediterranean Europe to India.
Wahlberg’s Eagle – Named for the Swedish naturalist; endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa.

Ecological Role

These open country Aquila eagles occupy the apex predator niche across the Northern Hemisphere. With their expansive ranges, they help structure food chains and regulate prey populations of rodents, hares, reptiles, and birds.

Threats from habitat loss, electrocution on powerlines, and intentional poisoning impact many Aquila eagle populations. But flagship species like the Golden Eagle maintain stable populations overall.

Fish and Sea Eagles

Fish and sea eagles are highly aquatic eagles that forage in marine environments. They are limited to several related Haliaeetus species.

The iconic Bald Eagle of North America provides a classic example of the fish and sea eagle hunting strategy: soaring over waterways and snatching fish at the surface.

Marine Mastery

Specialized traits allow these eagles to thrive around water:

Dense waterproof plumage
Oiled feathers for resistance to cold and moisture
Powerful talons to grip slippery fish prey
Soaring flight to scan large areas for fish schools
Ability to snatch prey and lift off the water’s surface

Widespread Fishing Eagles

The major fish and sea eagle species worldwide include:

Bald Eagle – Intertidal and river fisher in North America.
African Fish Eagle – Haunts African riparian corridors and lake shores.
White-tailed Eagle – Northern species that frequents European and Asian coasts and lakes.
Steller’s Sea Eagle – Massive Russian species specialized on salmon runs and marine mammal carcasses.
Sanford’s Sea Eagle – Rare endemic to the Solomon Islands rainforest.

Conservation Concerns

Fish and sea eagles face threats from habitat degradation at breeding sites and wintering grounds. Dams and wetland drainage also reduce foraging areas.

However, Bald Eagles showed an impressive recovery after DDT bans. Other species like the African Fish Eagle maintain large populations despite some site-specific declines.

Snake Eagles

The snake eagles form a distinctive group of tropical raptors specialized for hunting reptiles. They are represented by several Circaetus species in Africa and Asia.

With their slender bodies, short rounded wings, and scaly prey preferences, snake eagles diverge from the strong-footed fishing eagles and soaring true eagles.

Unique Raptors

Key traits distinguish these highly specialized snake hunters:

Shorter, rounder wings provide agility for hunting within forests
Long tails counterbalance their short wings during maneuvers
Slim legs are unfeathered and scaled like the snakes they hunt
Head and body feathers also have a scaly appearance as camouflage

Varied Ambush Hunters

Some of the snake eagle diversity includes:

Black-chested – Favors savanna habitats in Africa.
Brown – Occurs broadly across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Short-toed – Ranges widely from southern Europe and Africa across southern Asia.

Eagle Species List