Interesting Things to Know About the Eagle

There are over 9,000 species of birds in the world. There are some interesting things about a lot of birds. So, why are the most interesting facts about the eagle?

• The eagle is NOT the fastest bird. It is the duck hawk.
• The eagle is NOT the most intelligent bird. It is the crow.
• The eagle is NOT the longest living bird. It is the raven that can live up to 69 years.
• The eagle is NOT the fastest running bird. It's the ostrich that can run as fast as some folks drive... 50 mph.
• The eagle is NOT the highest flying bird. A goose has been known to fly 29,000 feet. The candor bird in South America once collided with an airplane at 20,000 feet. Most birds seldom fly more than 3,000 feet. They fly under the clouds.

Facts About the Eagle

The eagle is a large, solitary bird. At times, the eagle is with its friends on the ground. Birds of a feather may flock together, but most of the time, the eagle flies solo. And it soars above the clouds.

There are approximately 60 species of eagles, even though most of us think there is only the bald eagle. By the way, the bald eagle is not bald. Its head is covered with white feathers.

Eagles are good stewards of what they have. For example, the eagle uses the same nest over and over again for years, adding to it each year. One nest in Ohio was used for 36 years. It weighed almost one ton. An average nest could take up to 2 wagonloads of material to build. The eagle builds its nest little by little, and no material is wasted.

Eagles take care of their young. Both parents share in the incubation and the young ones. The eaglets remain in the nest until they are trained by their parents. The male and the female share in all the responsibilities of taking care of them and training them.

The eagle is careful to avoid danger. It doesn't attack except when cornered. The bird is prepared to handle danger when it comes by using its beak to handle the prey.

The eagle is known for its keen eyesight because it has eyes on both sides of its head to see what is going on around it at all times.

Eagles feed on live food. They abstain from consuming dead meat. Their diet is solely comprised of fresh prey, setting them apart from vultures and some other birds.

The eagle mates only once in a lifetime. That means there is no Eagle Divorce Court. The eagle is selective since it will have only one mate. The female eagle goes to the top of the highest mountain and drops a twig or pebble equivalent to her weight. The male eagle that can swoop down and catch it in its beak before it reaches the ground is the one to be her mate. Males are to be able to "carry" the female.

When eagles grow old and weary, they go to the tallest mountain and lie out before the sun. The rays from the sun energize them and give them a new burst of strength.

Eagles in the Bible

• The eagle is mentioned in the Bible about 33 times.
• It appears in both the Old and New Testaments.
• The eagle is mentioned in various contexts, symbolizing strength and renewal.
• The eagle is often used metaphorically to represent God's protection and majesty.
• Key passages about the eagle:

You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. (Exodus 19:4)

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)