Eagles are not your average birds, and this is one reason they are called the “king of birds”.
They tower over other birds in many ways. There’s a lot about these birds that draws us to them, one of which is their size.
Humans enjoy the breathtaking beauty of undomesticated nature in the seas, jungles, and skies, thanks to their colors, looks, social behavior, and interaction with their environment.
Size, like other physical traits, fascinates us, explaining why the eagle, a majestic bird of prey, is a symbol of grace.
The size is the subject of many conversations and you may have wondered just how big are eagles.
The eagle’s size depends on the species, and it is hard to get an average. They can get up to 40 inches tall and weigh up to 20 pounds with long wingspans reaching up to 8 feet.
While not the largest bird of prey, the eagle certainly falls under the category of the biggest extant bird species today.
We will now discuss how big eagles are and compare the size of different species.
How Big are Eagles?
While eagles are not as large as the Andean Condor pelicans, marabou storks, and Lappet-faced vultures, they are among the largest birds of prey.
There are over sixty eagle species, but they differ in size and appearance, making it challenging to tell the difference between any two.
It is almost impossible to give an average size of an eagle because of the many different species.
Still, eagles may reach between sixteen inches (South Nicobar serpent eagle) and forty inches (harpy eagle) and weigh between one and twenty pounds.
Some species have long wingspans matching the height of the tallest athletes, while others have wingspans that could be over 2.5 meters or more.
Without further ado, let us consider some enormous species.
How Big is a Golden Eagle?
The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is famed for its lustrous gold-colored feathers that glow on the back of its head and neck.
Its claws grow over two inches longer than some big cats like cougars.
It is one of the largest eagles, with some subspecies weighing fourteen to fifteen pounds with a wingspan between six feet, two inches, and seven feet, four inches.
How Big is a Harpy Eagle?
You would not expect a bird native to the lowland forests of Central and South America to be among the world’s largest birds, but that’s the fact.
The harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) found in these regions is about forty inches tall with a long wingspan reaching six feet six inches and weight between eleven and twenty pounds.
Males are usually around the lower end, with females significantly imposing in size.
While their wingspans might be shorter than other enormous birds of prey, they would still measure higher than most humans if placed vertically.
The harpy eagle makes up for its short wingspan with its claws growing over four inches; remarkably, this bird’s claw is longer than a tiger’s, grizzly bear’s, and polar bear’s.
How Big is a Stellar’s Sea Eagle?
The Stellar’s sea eagle comprises a harpy eagle’s weight and a bald eagle’s wingspan to feature among the world’s largest eagle species.
The East Russian native bird could cover about eight feet, three inches with its wings, and weigh around twenty pounds while measuring thirty-nine inches from its head to the tip of its tail.
How Big is a White-tailed Eagle?
As its name implies, this species is easily recognized by its white tail resembling the bald eagle.
However, it is one of the most prominent species, thanks to its enormous size, measuring up to eight feet in full wing stretch.
The White-tailed eagle weighs around nine to eleven pounds and can reach three feet in height.
Generally, the depth of a White-tailed eagle’s nest is the same or more than a human’s standard grave.
How Big is a Philippine Eagle?
Imagine a bird large enough to eat monkeys! There is no joking around such a predator.
While harpy eagles weigh more, the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga Jeffery) is a sky giant that can reach three feet in height and exceed seven feet in full wing length.
It also weighs up to eighteen pounds and is equipped with a claw size around that of a harpy eagle’s.
Unfortunately, this species is not one you will find on many occasions as it is critically endangered.
Deforestation is the leading cause of the eagle population decline as a Philippine eagle needs 7,000 hectares (a little over 13,000 football fields) to thrive due to its enormous size. 1
How Big is a Bald Eagle?
Unlike the critically endangered Philippine eagle, the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) has an IUCN red list conservation status that indicates it is of the least concern as its population is increasing.
Just as big as the population is their size. Comparisons reveal that bald eagles are not small.
Remarkably, a female bald eagle’s wingspan can exceed 8 feet and reach 38 inches in height. Like the golden eagle, the bald eagle has a maximum weight of around fourteen pounds.
This species is sexually dimorphic, with males weighing around nine pounds and spanning their wings around 6.6 feet.
Human vs Eagle Wingspan & Size Comparison
Some tales make it seem like eagles are bigger than humans. However, the adept hunters of the sky, with their magnificent features and unparalleled hunting instincts, are actually smaller than humans. It may be surprising, but still true.
The average size of the largest eagle species is about three feet in height, weighing between thirteen and fifteen pounds.
Most full-grown humans are over five feet tall, weighing between 130 and 155 pounds, implying that humans are five to seven times bigger than an eagle.
However, an eagle’s wingspan positioned vertically could measure as high or higher than a human’s.
How Big is a Bald Eagle Compared to a Human?
While the bald eagle is not the largest eagle on the list, it is one of the most popular, earning this size comparison with humans.
Males weigh around ten pounds and have a six-foot wingspan. However, females weigh around fourteen feet, while their wingspan can exceed eight feet.
Therefore, a bald eagle can measure up to a human if placed vertically on its wings. Fortunately, the three-foot eagle is nowhere close to an average human if standing on its feet.
Eagle Size Comparison
| Types | Height | Wingspan | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Eagle | 2 ft, 6 in – 3 ft, 0 in | 6 ft, 2 in – 7 ft, 4 in | 9 lb – 14 lb |
| Philippine Eagle | 3 ft, 1 in – 3 ft, 5 in | 6 ft, 0 in – 7 ft, 3 in | 10 lb – 18 lb |
| Harpy Eagle | 2 ft, 8 in – 3 ft, 0 in | 5 ft, 1 in – 6 ft, 6 in | 11 lb – 20 lb |
| Stellar’s Sea Eagle | 2 ft, 11 in – 3 ft, 3 in | 6 ft, 5 in – 8 ft, 3 in | 11 lb – 20 lb |
| Bald Eagle | 2 ft, 4 in – 3 ft, 2 in | 6 ft, 7 in – 8 ft | 9 lb – 14 lb |
| White-tailed Eagle | 2 ft, 3 in – 3 ft | 5 ft, 10 in – 8 ft | 9 lb – 11 lb |
Frequently Asked Questions
How powerful is an eagle?
Eagles may be birds, but they have elite hunting skills and qualities capable of competing with their ground counterparts. Bald and golden eagles have a grip strength of around 400 and 700 pounds per square inch, respectively. Comparatively, a lion’s teeth have a grip strength of 650 pounds per square inch.
Can an eagle pick up a dog?
Do not be fooled by the comparison between an eagle’s grip strength and a lion’s teeth grip strength; an eagle cannot pick up a fully grown adult dog. While it may pick up a puppy or a small-sized breed, it does not have the strength to carry the dog along a far distance.
Can an eagle pick up a deer?
Reports indicate that an eagle can attack and defeat a full-sized deer. However, not even the largest eagle today can carry such a deer. While this bird of prey may lift a fawn from the ground, flying off with the fawn is very unlikely.
Can an eagle pick up a human?
No! The largest eagle species can only carry a maximum weight of five to six pounds with their claws. Therefore, an eagle cannot lift or carry a teenage or adult human. Stories about eagles carrying little children and babies are undocumented and unverified.
What is the largest eagle in the United States?
The bald eagle is the United States’ largest eagle species. The female’s wingspan can exceed eight feet, weighing about fourteen pounds and reaching 38 inches in height.
Do eagles have predators?
The adept hunters of the sky, with their magnificent features and unparalleled hunting instincts, are prey to no animal in the wild, making them apex predators with a position atop the food chain.
What is the largest eagle species?
The largest eagle by all metrics of comparing an eagle’s size is the Stellar’s sea eagle. The East Russian native bird could cover about eight feet, three inches with its wings, and weigh around twenty pounds while measuring thirty-nine inches from its head to the tip of its tail.
Wrap Up
Canadian author Matshona Dhliwayo believes that an eagle never loses sleep over a turkey’s sentiments.
His claim could have a deeper meaning, but it is true because of the eagle’s size.
These birds are awesomely beautiful and colorful like several bird species but have earned a reputation as kings of the sky, thanks to their gigantic size.
References & Notes
- Saving the rarest eagle in the world from extinction, 2022. [online] Our Better World.
