What's the world's largest eagle? Top 10 biggest majestic birds
Eagles are known to be impressively large birds of prey in terms of weight, length and wingspan. These majestic birds have heavy heads, beaks, and large wingspans for grasping and killing prey. Did you know an eagle’s eyesight is around five times better than a human’s? Discover some of the world's largest eagles and their interesting facts.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
We strive to provide our readers valuable insights and information through our various rankings and lists. We used data from DinoAnimals.com, HowStuffWorks, One Earth, WorldAtlas, Africa Freak, and other publicly available data to analyse the eagles' sizes.
Top 10 world's largest eagles
Eagles are remarkably agile and can reach impressive speeds when diving or chasing prey. The Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) and the Steller's Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) are among the largest eagle species. Look at these top 10 eagles that cut across the sky in one of the most majestic ways.
| Species | Weight (kg/lbs) | Length (cm/in) |
| Haast’s eagle (Harpagornis moorei) | Up to 18 kg (40 lbs) | Up to 150 cm (59 inches) |
| Steller’s Sea eagle | 4.9 – 9.5 kg (11 – 21 lbs) | Up to 100 cm (39 inches) |
| Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) | Up to 9 kg (20 lbs) | 87–109 cm (34.3–42.9 inches) |
| Philippine Eagle | Up to 8 kg (18 lbs) | Up to 105 cm (41 inches) |
| White-Tailed eagle | 4.1 – 7.5 kg (9.0 – 16.5 lbs) | Up to 94 cm (37 inches) |
| Martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) | 3 – 6.3 kg (6.6 – 13.9 lbs) | Up to 88 cm (35 inches) |
| American bald eagle | 3.1 – 7.2 kg (6.8 – 15.9 lbs) | Up to 100 cm (39 inches) |
| Verreaux’s eagle | 3 – 4 kg (6.6 – 8.8 lbs) | Up to 90 cm (35 inches) |
| Wedge-tailed eagle | 3.2 – 9 kg (7.1 – 19.8 lbs) | Up to 1.1 m (43 inches) |
| Golden eagle | 3.2 – 7 kg (7.1 – 15.4 lbs) | Up to 100 cm (39 inches) |
1. Haast’s eagle (Harpagornis moorei)
Source: UGC
- Weight: Up to 18 kg (40 lbs)
- Wingspan: Up to 3 m (10 ft)
- Length: Up to 150 centimetres (59 inches)
- Location: South Island, New Zealand (extinct)
The Haast’s eagle, scientifically known as Hieraaetus moorei, is a raptor species from the South Island of New Zealand. It was the world's largest eagle in weight, as they recorded a maximum weight of 18 kilograms (40 lbs). The Haast’s eagles were also the largest eagles in the world by wingspan that shot up to 3 metres (10 ft).
2. Steller’s Sea eagle
Source: Getty Images
- Weight: 4.9 – 9.5 kg (11 – 21 lbs)
- Wingspan: 2 – 2.5 m (6.6 – 8.2 ft)
- Length: Up to 100 cm (39 in)
- Average lifespan: 20-25 years in the wild
- Location: Eastern Russia, Korea, Japan, and northeastern China
Read also
Tinubu swears in Tony Aiyejina, Yori Afolabi, 15 other NPC commissioners, full list emerges
The Steller’s Sea eagle is scientifically known as Haliaeetus pelagicus. They are considered the most powerful and aggressive of their closest relatives, the bald and the white-tailed sea raptors. These gigantic birds mostly have dark brown to black plumage. Their median upper-wing coverts, under-wing coverts, thighs, under-tail coverts, and tails have strongly contrasting white.
3. Harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja)
Source: Getty Images
- Weight: Up to 9 kg (20 lbs) (females are larger than males)
- Wingspan: Up to 2.25 m (7.4 ft)
- Length: 87–109 centimetres (34.3–42.9 inches)
- Average lifespan: 25-35 years
- Location: Tropical rainforests of Central and South America
The harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) is considered one of the most powerful and strongest eagles in the world. These raptors feed on sloths, opossums, and monkeys. The colouration of its plumage is a combination of shades and gradients of black, grey, and white. Harpy pairs reproduce every 2 or 3 years and lay 1 or 2 eggs.
4. Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi)
Source: Getty Images
- Weight: Up to 8 kg (18 lbs)
- Wingspan: Up to 2.2 m (7.2 ft)
- Length: Up to 105 cm (3 ft 5 in)
- Average lifespan: 26-30 years
- Location: Rainforests of the Philippines
They are one of the rarest birds in the world, with an estimated population of less than 500. As their name suggests, these raptors are found only in the rainforests of the Philippines. The giant Philippine eagle’s weight is approximately 8 kilograms (18 lbs). It is one of the largest eagles in the world in terms of wingspan and length.
5. White-Tailed eagle
Source: Getty Images
- Weight: 4.1 – 7.5 kg (9.0 – 16.5 lbs)
- Wingspan: Up to 2.5 m (8.2 ft)
- Length: Up to 94 cm (37 in)
- Average lifespan: Up to 35 years
- Location: Eurasia and parts of North America
These white-tailed birds of prey have brown body plumage with a conspicuously pale head and neck. These raptors weigh between 4.1 to 7.5 kilograms (9.0 – 16.5 lbs). What do white-tailed eagles eat? These gigantic raptors eat fish, various birds, rabbits and hares. These majestic birds of prey can live for 20 to 25 years on average in the wild and up to 42 years in captivity.
6. Martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus)
Source: Getty Images
- Weight: 3 – 6.3 kg (6.6 – 13.9 lbs)
- Wingspan: Up to 2.6 m (8.5 ft)
- Length: Up to 88 cm (35 in)
- Average lifespan: Up to 30 years
- Location: Sub-Saharan Africa
The Martial birds of prey, also known as Polemaetus bellicosus, are found in the savannah and thornbush areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. How strong is a martial eagle? These raptors are the largest African raptors capable of knocking an adult man off his feet. These birds weigh approximately 3 to 6.3 kilograms (6.6 – 13.9 lbs).
7. American bald eagle
Source: Getty Images
- Weight: 3.1 – 7.2 kg (6.8 – 15.9 lbs)
- Wingspan: Up to 2.0 m (6.6 ft)
- Length: Up to 100 cm (39 in)
- Average lifespan: Up to 30 years
- Location: North America
These birds of prey are one of the biggest eagles in the world compared to humans. Its average wingspan, positioned next to an adult human male of an average height of 5 ft 9 inches, is taller by approximately 8 inches. These birds can live long, as the oldest recorded one in the wild was at least 38 years old.
8. Verreaux’s eagle
Source: Getty Images
- Weight: 3 – 4 kg (6.6 – 8.8 lbs)
- Wingspan: Up to 2.3 m (7.5 ft)
- Length: Up to 90 cm (35 in)
- Average lifespan: Up to 40 years
- Location: Sub-Saharan Africa
Scientifically known as Aquila verreauxii, they are large raptors mainly found in Sub-Saharan Africa. These birds of prey hunt other animals for food, including hyraxes, hedgehogs, mole rats, ground squirrels, gamebirds, reptiles, vervet monkeys, and weasels. These raptors weigh approximately 3 to 4 kilograms (6.6 – 8.8 lbs) and have a length of up to 90 centimetres (35 inches).
9. Wedge-tailed eagle
Source: Getty Images
- Weight: 3.2 – 9 kg (7.1 – 19.8 lbs)
- Wingspan: Up to 3 m (9.8 ft)
- Length: Up to 1.1 m (43 in)
- Average lifespan: Up to 30 years
- Location: Australia, New Guinea, and parts of Indonesia
The wedge-tailed bird of prey (Aquila audax) is Australia's largest bird of prey. This gigantic bird is susceptible to human disturbance at the nest, which may even lead to the abandonment of the young. Most of these birds of prey are black but can appear tar to charcoal brown depending on the species variation.
10. Golden eagle
Source: Getty Images
- Weight: 3.2 – 7 kg (7.1 – 15.4 lbs)
- Wingspan: Up to 2.3 m (7.5 ft)
- Length: Up to 100 cm (39 in)
- Average lifespan: Up to 30 years
- Location: Eurasia, North Africa, North America
They are one of the largest and fastest animals. These birds of prey are dark brown, with lighter golden-brown plumage on their heads and necks. They use their sharp talons to snatch up rabbits, marmots, and ground squirrels. How strong is a golden eagle? These birds of prey can carry up to 8 pounds during flight and have a strong grip strength enough to pop a car tyre.
What's the biggest eagle in the world?
Some of the largest eagles in the world are the Haast, Philippine, Steller's Sea, Martial and Harpy eagles.
Which is bigger, the Harpy or the Philippine eagle?
The harpy eagle is larger in weight and bulkier than the Philippine raptor. It weighs up to 9 kilograms (20 lbs) compared to the Philippine eagle, which weighs up to 8 kilograms (18 lbs). Female Philippine raptors have an average length of 105 cm (3 ft 5 in), while the Harpy eagle ranges between 87 to 109 centimetres (34.3–42.9 inches).
Which eagle is the strongest?
The Harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) is considered one of the strongest and most powerful raptors in the world. The bird’s talons can exert several hundred pounds of pressure (over 50 kilograms), crushing its prey’s bones.
The world's largest eagles are used as national symbols for various countries. They control the numbers of smaller animals and contribute to a balanced ecosystem. These majestic birds of prey also attract ecotourists and nature enthusiasts worldwide.
Legit.ng recently published an exciting post about creepy and scary creatures from your worst nightmares. The world is home to different species; many are sweet and cuddly, while others are scary and dangerous.
Various factors can trigger nightmares, one of them being terrifying creatures. Animals with features such as large teeth, claws, or intimidating body structures can trigger fear in humans. Discover some creepy and scary animals that will send shivers down your spine.
Source: Legit.ng
