Eagles are large birds of prey in the Accipitridae family, including species like the golden eagle and bald eagle, primarily found in Eurasia and Africa, with only 14 species in other regions—two in North America, nine in Central and South America, and three in Australia.
While eagles are not a natural group, the term generally refers to any large bird of prey capable of hunting sizable vertebrates, roughly 50 cm or longer.
These powerfully built birds have heavy heads and beaks. Even the smallest eagle, the Great Nicobar serpent eagle, weighs about 450 g (1 lb) and measures 40 cm (16 in). Most eagles are larger than other raptors, except for some vultures. Eagles possess large hooked beaks for tearing flesh, strong legs, and powerful talons.
