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Eagle
Eagles are large birds of prey which are members of the bird order Falconiformes and family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other genetically. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa.[1] Outside this area, just two species (the Bald and Golden Eagles) can be found in the USA and Canada, a few more in Central and South America, and three in Australia. Eagles are differentiated from other birds of prey mainly by their larger size, more powerful build, and heavier head and bill. Even the smallest eagles, like the Booted Eagle (which is comparable in size to a Common Buzzard or Red-tailed Hawk), have relatively longer and more evenly broad wings, and more direct, faster flight. Most eagles are larger than any other raptors apart from the vultures. Like all birds of prey, eagles have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, and powerful talons. They also have extremely keen eyesight to enable them to spot potential prey from a very long distance.[2] This keen eyesight is primarily contributed by their extremely large pupils which cause minimal diffraction (scattering) of the incoming light. In Britain before 1678, Eagle referred specifically to the Golden Eagle, the other native species, the White-tailed Eagle, being known as the Erne. The modern name "Golden Eagle" for Aquila chrysaetos was introduced by the naturalist John Ray. Eagles build their nests, called eyries, in tall trees or on high cliffs. Many species lay two eggs, but the older, larger chick frequently kills its younger sibling once it has hatched. Eagles are sometimes used in falconry. They appear prominently in myth and literature. In the Old World, such references are commonly to the Golden Eagle (or possibly closely related species found in warmer climates).
Taxonomy
Thermographic image of an eagle, thermoregulating using its wings
SpeciesFAMILY ACCIPITRIDAE
The powerful Harpy Eagle can easily grab a monkey weighing 5 kg and fly away with it.
A Steppe Eagle in Lahore Zoo Pakistan .
A dark individual of the Short-toed Eagle.
Eagles in cultureThe wordThe modern English name of the bird is derived from the Latin term aquila by way of the French Aigle. The Latin aquila may derive from the word aquilus, meaning dark-colored, swarthy, or blackish, as a description of the eagle's plumage; or from Aquilo, the Latin version of Greek Boreas, or north wind. Old English used the term Earn, related to Scandinavia's Ørn / Örn. The etymology of this word is related to Greek ornis, literally meaning "bird". In this sense, the Eagle is the Bird with a capital B. Eagles as national symbols
Double-headed eagle emblem of the Byzantine Empire. Relief from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (Istanbul) 
Coat of arms of the town of Berg en Terblijt in the Netherlands, an example of the prolific use of the eagle in European heraldry. 
Napoleonic eagle 
The Great Seal of the United States Eagles have been used by many nations as a national symbol.
Eagle lecterns are very common in Christian churches and cathedrals. The eagle is the symbol used to depict John the Apostle, whose writing most clearly witnesses the light and divinity of Christ. In art, John, as the presumed author of the Gospel, is often depicted with an eagle, which symbolizes the height he rose in the first chapter of his gospel. See Names of John. The eagle is a sacred bird in some cultures and the feathers of the eagle are central to many religious and spiritual customs, especially amongst Native Americans in the United States and First Nations in Canada, as well as among many of the peoples of Meso-America. Some Native American peoples revere eagles as sacred religious objects and the feathers and parts of Bald and Golden Eagles are often compared to the Bible and crucifix. Eagle feathers are often used in various ceremonies and are used to honor noteworthy achievements and qualities such as exceptional leadership and bravery. In the cultures of the Northwest Coast, Eagle is also a supernatural being and also the ancestor and features in the heraldic crests of important clans known as totem poles. The Moche people of ancient Peru worshipped the animal and often depicted eagles in their art.[5] Despite modern and historic Native American practices of giving eagle feathers to non-indigenous people and also members of other tribes who have been deemed worthy, current United States eagle feather law stipulates that only individuals of certifiable Native American ancestry enrolled in a federally recognized tribe are legally authorized to obtain eagle feathers for religious or spiritual[6] In Canada, poaching of eagle feathers for the booming U.S. market has sometimes resulted in the arrests of First Nations person for the crime.[7] Eagles as organizational symbols
Serbian flag
References
See alsoExternal links
ar:???? ay:Paka bn:??? zh-min-nan:Eng-á ba:?????? bs:Orao bg:???? ca:Àguila cs:Orel cy:Eryr da:Ørn pdc:Adler de:Adler (Biologie) nv:Atsá et:Kotkad el:????? es:Águila eo:Aglo eu:Arrano fa:???? fr:Aigle (oiseau) fur:Acuile gl:Aguia hak:Ên-tiâu ko:???? hr:Orlovi io:Aglo id:Elang jv:Elang pam:Agila ka:?????? sw:Tai la:Aquila lt:Ereliai hu:Sas mr:???? ms:Burung helang nah:Cu?uhtli nl:Arend (roofvogel) ja:? no:Ørner nn:Ørn nds:Aadler pl:Or?y pt:Águia ru:??????? sq:Shqiponja simple:Eagle cu:????? sr:???? fi:Kotkat sv:Örn te:???? th:?????? tr:Kartal (ku?) uk:???????? ???? yi:????? zh:? Source: Wikipedia | The above article is available under the GNU FDL. | Edit this article
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