Eagles
There are around 60 species of eagle on the planet.
Most of them can be found in Africa, Europe and Asia. Only 14 species can be found elsewhere, two in North America, nine in Central and South America and three in Australia. Gauntlet Birds of Prey is home to nine species of eagles, from the Bald Eagle of North America to the African Tawny Eagle from sub-Saharan Africa and India. Our eagles all have their own individual personalities and keep us entertained with their funny ways.
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is the national symbol of America.
LATIN NAME: Haliaeetus Leucocephalus
DISTRIBUTION: North America
HABITAT: Coasts, lakes and rivers
DIET: will predate and scavenge
WINGSPAN: 180–210cm
White-tailed Sea Eagle
The White-tailed Sea Eagle’s nickname is the ‘flying barn door’ because of their immense wingspan.
LATIN NAME: Haliaeetus Albicilla
DISTRIBUTION: Northern Europe
HABITAT: Coasts, lakes and rivers
DIET: will predate and scavenge
WINGSPAN: 190–230cm
Black-chested Buzzard Eagle
The Black-chested Buzzard Eagle is also known as the Chilean Blue Eagle.
LATIN NAME: Geranoaetus Melanoleucus
DISTRIBUTION: South America
HABITAT: Mountains/Hills
DIET: Mammals, birds and carrion
WINGSPAN: 160–180cm
Golden Eagle
The Golden Eagle is one of the most widely distributed species of Eagle.
LATIN NAME: Aquila Chrysaetos
DISTRIBUTION: Northern Hemisphere
HABITAT: Open, mountainous areas
DIET: Mainly mammals
WINGSPAN: 180–230cm
African Fish Eagle
The distinctive call of the African Fish Eagle is also known as ‘Africa’s Voice’.
LATIN NAME: Haliaeetus vocifer
DISTRIBUTION: Sub-Saharan Africa
HABITAT: Coasts, Lakes and Rivers
DIET: Fish (both live and dead)
WINGSPAN: 175–210cm
Steppe Eagle
Steppe Eagles prefer flat, open habitats like deserts, grasslands and even agricultural areas.
LATIN NAME: Aquila nipalensis
DISTRIBUTION: Russian Steppes, Central Asia
HABITAT: Steppes, desert and semi-desert, grasslands
DIET: Small mammals, birds and reptiles
WINGSPAN: 165–200cm
African Tawny Eagle
The oldest recorded Tawny Eagle was 60 years old.
LATIN NAME: Aquila rapax
DISTRIBUTION: Sub-Saharan Africa and India
HABITAT: Varied from woodland and savannah, semi-desert, open plains
DIET: Wide range of birds and mammals will also frequently scavenge
WINGSPAN: 160–185cm
Bateleur Eagle
The word ‘bateleur’ in french means ‘tightrope walker’, they get this name because of their distinctive aerial acrobatics.
LATIN NAME: Terathopius ecaudatus
DISTRIBUTION: Sub-Saharan Africa
HABITAT: Grassland, Savannah
DIET: Very varied – mainly mammals, birds, reptiles, but also snakes – unlike typical snake eating eagles it does not specialise, will scavenge too
WINGSPAN: 168–223cm
Steller’s Sea Eagle
Steller’s Sea Eagles can weigh up to 30lbs, although not the biggest of the Eagles they certainly are the heaviest.
LATIN NAME: Haliaeetus pelagicus
DISTRIBUTION: Eastern Russia, Japan, Korea
HABITAT: Mainly found around coastlines
DIET: Mainly fish but also some mammals, ducks, carrion, shellfish, and gulls.
WINGSPAN: 195–250cm
