Eagle | The eagle is a (generally) large sized bird of prey meaning that the eagle is one of the most dominant predators in the sky. Eagles are most commonly found in the Northern Hemisphere including Europe, Asia and North America. Eagles are
also found on the African continent. There are more than 60 different
species of eagle in the world with only 2 of these eagle species being
found in the USA and Canada. However, one of these eagle species is one
of the most common species of eagle, the bald eagle. Despite it's name the bald eagle has a full head of feathers but their bright white colour makes the bald eagle very distinguishable. The golden eagle is the only other species of eagle found on the American continent.
The size of an eagle is
dependent on the species of eagle. Eagles can range in size from 40cm to
over 1m in height. The wing span of an eagle tends to be at least
double the length of the eagle's body. Eagles have feathers on the ends
of their wings which the eagles move up and down to help them when
flying. Eagles are dominant predators and are known as birds of prey.
Eagles feed off smaller birds and bats in the sky and small mammals and
fish on the ground. The eagle is well known for it's incredible
eyesight. An eagle's eyesight is so good that an eagle can apparently
see a mouse on the ground when the eagle is still high in the sky.
The eagle is used as a symbol in many national flags and emblems all around the world, as an eagle is believed to resemble power or good fortune. Eagles are dominant and ruthless predators in
their environment and eagles therefore have very few natural predators
themselves. Eagles are most likely to be hunted by smaller animals when
they are chicks or still young and inexperienced so they are fairly
vulnerable. Female eagles build their nests in tall tree tops or on high
cliffs where they are at their safest. The mother eagle tends to
lay two eggs, which hatch after about a month. In many eagle species
however, one of the eagle chicks is naturally slightly stronger than the
other chick, with the stronger chick generally killing it's weaker sibling.
Eagles have adapted well
to their dominant predatory lifestyle. Not only do eagles have
exceptional eyesight and are about to soar remarkably quickly through
the air for such a large bird, but eagles also have pointed beaks
and agile feet known as talons. The beak of the eagle is perfectly
designed for ripping flesh away from bone, and the talons of the eagle
are so strong that the eagle is able to carry it's prey in it's feet
until it reaches a safe place to eat it.
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