s bellicosus
- Genus Hieraaetus
- Genus Harpagornis (extinct)
- Genus Lophotriorchis
- Rufous-bellied hawk-eagle, L. kienerii
- Genus Aquila
- Bonelli's eagle, Aquila fasciata – formerly Hieraaetus fasciatus
- African hawk-eagle, A. spilogaster – formerly in Hieraaetus
- Cassin's hawk-eagle, A. africana – formerly in Hieraaetus or Spizaetus genera
- Golden eagle, A. chrysaetos
- Eastern imperial eagle, A. heliaca
- Spanish imperial eagle A. adalberti
- Steppe eagle, A. nipalensis
- Tawny eagle, A. rapax
- Greater spotted eagle, A. clanga – to be moved to Lophaetus or Ictinaetus
- Lesser spotted eagle, A. pomarina – to be moved to Lophaetus or Ictinaetus
- Indian spotted eagle, A. hastata – to be moved to Lophaetus or Ictinaetus
- Verreaux's eagle, A. verreauxii
- Gurney's eagle, A. gurneyi
- Wahlberg's eagle, A. wahlbergi - to be moved to Hieraaetus
- Wedge-tailed eagle, A. audax
- Genus Ictinaetus
- Black eagle, Ictinaetus malayensis
- Genus Haliaeetus
- Genus Ichthyophaga
- Genus Geranoaetus
- Subfamily Circaetinae: snake-eagles
- Genus Terathopius
- Bateleur, Terathopius ecaudatus
- Genus Circaetus
- Genus Dryotriorchis
- Congo serpent eagle, D. spectabilis
- Genus Spilornis
- Genus Eutriorchis
- Madagascar serpent eagle, Eutriorchis astur
- Genus Terathopius
Eagles in culture
The modern English term for the bird is derived from Latin: aquila by way of French: aigle. The origin of aquila is unknown, but it is believed to possibly derive from either aquilus (meaning dark-colored, swarthy, or blackish) as a reference to the plumage of eagles or from aquilo (meaning north wind).
Old English used the term earn, related to Scandinavia's ørn/örn. It is similar to other Indo-European terms for "bird" or "eagle", including Greek: ὄρνις (ornís), Russian: орёл (orël), and Welsh: eryr.
In Britain before 1678, eagle referred specifically to the golden eagle, with the other native species, the white-tailed eagle, being known as erne. The modern name "golden eagle" for aquila chrysaetos was introduced by the naturalist John Ray.
Religion and folklore
The eagle is also the patron animal of the ancient Greek god Zeus. In particular, Zeus was said to have taken the form of an eagle in order to abduct Ganymede, and there are numerous artistic depictions of the eagle Zeus bearing Ganymede aloft, from Classical times up to the present (see illustrations in the Ganymede (mythology) page.)
The United States eagle feather law stipulates that only individuals of certifiable Native American ancestry enrolled in a federally recognized tribe are legally authorized to obtain eagle feathers for religious or spiritual reasons. In Canada, the poaching of eagle feathers for the booming U.S. market has sometimes resulted in the arrests of First Nations person for the crime.
The eagle is a common form in the Anglican tradition, often used to support the Bible because of the symbolism of spreading the gospel over the world. Additional symbolic meanings for "eagle" include the pronouncements to the Israelites in Exodus 19:4; Psalms 103:5 and Isaiah 40:31.
In Hinduism, Garuda is a lesser divinity, usually the mount (vahanam) of Vishnu. Garuda is depicted as having the golden body of a strong man with a white face, red wings, and an eagle's beak and with a crown on his head. This ancient deity was said to be massive, large enough to block out the sun.
Eagles are an exceptionally common symbol in heraldry, being considered the "King of Birds" in contrast to the lion, the "King of Beasts". They are particularly popular in Germanic countries, due to their association with the Holy Roman Empire. The eagle of the Holy Roman Empire was two-headed, supposedly representing the two divisions, East and West, of the old Roman Empire.
Heraldic eagles are most often found displayed, i.e. with their wings and legs extended. They can also occur close, i.e. with their wings folded, or rising, i.e. about to take flight. The heads, wings, and legs of eagles can also be found independently.
- The coat of arms and flag of Albania has a black double-headed eagle. Furthermore,