Eagles are large birds of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae. With over 60 species found across every continent except Antarctica, eagles are celebrated for their extraordinary vision, powerful talons, and impressive wingspans. The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), the national symbol of the United States, and the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) are among the most well-known.
An eagle's eyesight is truly remarkable — they can spot a rabbit from nearly 3 kilometres away. Their eyes contain two foveae (areas of sharp vision), compared to the single fovea in human eyes, giving them up to 8 times sharper vision than us. Eagles can also see ultraviolet light, helping them track prey by the UV-reflective urine trails small mammals leave behind.
Eagles are apex predators and skilled hunters. They dive towards prey at speeds of up to 300 km/h, snatching fish, small mammals, or other birds with their powerful, curved talons. Some species, like the martial eagle of Africa, are capable of taking down prey larger than themselves.
Eagles mate for life and return to the same nest — called an eyrie — year after year, adding new material each season. Some nests have been in use for decades and can weigh over a tonne. Eagle populations faced severe decline in the 20th century due to pesticides like DDT and habitat destruction, but conservation efforts have led to successful recoveries in many regions.