What Do Eagles Eat?

Bald eagle feeds on a variety of products, which include salmon, catfish, herring, shad, rabbits, crabs, reptiles, amphibians, and other birds. This eagle can eat live.

• The bald eagle appears bald thanks to its head having white feathers, which contrasts the brown hue on its body and wings.
• Bald eagles were previously endangered, but because of its protection, its numbers have flourished over the years.
• The bald eagle inhabits areas next to water bodies, especially regions close to coasts and lakes.

Golden eagle feeds on marmots, prairie dogs, jackrabbits, squirrels, mice, voles, birds, snakes, large insects, and lizards. Golden eagles (aka adler birds) can also prey on larger animals like foxes, young deer, and carrion.

• Golden eagle is considered as an enormous bird of prey in North America.
• This type of eagles is notable for its light golden-brown feathers on their necks and heads.
• Golden eagle inhabits a vast range of areas including but not limited to foothills, plains, mountains, rangeland, prairies, tundra, and the open country.

As the name suggests, African fish eagle mostly feeds on fish (catfish and lungfish to be precise). The African fish eagle also eats flamingoes, other water birds, carrion, and other larger prey found on the ground bordering water.

• The African fish eagle is a large eagle species which spots white, black, and brown plumage.
• This type of eagle can be found in trees next to lakes, rivers, and on coastlines.

Long-crested eagle feeds on rodents, especially vlei rats.

• The long-crested eagle gets its name from the long crest present on its head.
• This type of eagle is mostly black or dark brown, and it has white patches on the joints of its wings.
• Its habitat types include grassland, savannah, forests, wetlands (inland) and artificial lands.

Philippine eagle primarily predates on the Philippines flying lemur. It also eats monitor lizards, snakes, and other birds.

• Philippine eagle is a powerful bird of prey previously referred to as the monkey-eating eagle.
• As the name suggests, this bird is endemic to the Philippines.
• This species inhabits montane forests (steep terrain).

Steppe eagle feeds on steppe pika, voles (Brandt and Eastern Kazakhstan). They also eat reptiles, other birds, insects, squirrels, and carrion.

• The steppe eagle is a large eagle species.
• As its name suggests, it mostly inhabits steppes.
• Steppe eagles can also be found in deserts, grasslands, semi-deserts and agricultural areas.

For eagles, hunting is an analytical process facilitated by tact.

• Their speed comes in handy to aid their quest to capture prey.
• Eagles can detect their prey by soaring high, by watching them from high perches, or by flying lowly over slopes.
• Once eagles identify their prey, they use their speed to ambush their victim and snatch it using their sharp talons.

Eagles are diurnal species, meaning they will mostly be found hunting for food and eating during the day.

According to researchers, eagles consume about 0.5 to 1 pound of food every day.

• These birds of prey do not consume as often, especially in the event of food scarcity.
• Interestingly, during plenty, they eat frequently and store about 2 pounds of food in their crops.

• Though eagles are considered to be fierce and dangerous organisms, other organisms consider eagles to be a vital delicacy.
• Examples of organisms that eat eagles (at the different life cycle stages) include raccoons, coyotes, great horned owls, ravens, squirrels, foxes, and wolves.

Eagles fit perfectly in the animal food chain as prey and predators.

• Eagles help keep the numbers of the organisms they feed on under check, thus preventing their overpopulation.
• In their role as prey, they are food to a large number of organisms in their ecosystem.
• Eagles also clean up the environment by feeding on dead animal matter.