Eagles are powerful and graceful symbols that command awe and respect. There is a realm in the sky ruled by majestic creatures with beautiful wings. From the fierce Harpy Eagle to the iconic Bald Eagle, these birds represent aerial supremacy.
Let’s talk about the top biggest eagles in the world, learning about their incredible flying abilities and untold stories.
Which is the Biggest Eagle in the World?
Eagles, like other birds, can be measured in three ways to show their size and power. But wingspan isn’t the only way to measure the biggest eagles. Weight and height are also important.
The Harpy Eagle has big claws and a 7.5-foot wingspan. But the Steller’s Sea Eagle is heavier and longer. It weighs 15 pounds and can be over 3 feet long.
The Philippine Eagle may not be as heavy or long, but it has an 8-foot wingspan. Each eagle species has its own size and power, making them rulers of the avian kingdom.
Here are the top five eagles ranked by weight, length, and wingspan, with both the median and maximum measurements.
Biggest Eagles by Wingspan
Here is the list of Eagles with bigger wingspan
Wedge Tailed Eagle
- Avg wingspan: 6 ft 10 in
- Max wingspan: 9.2 ft
- Weight: 8kg (18lbs)
- Length: 42 in
- Location: New Guinea, Australia, and Tasmania.
Wedge Tailed Eagle (Aquila audax) are mostly black but can also be dark brown. The Wedge-tailed Eagle has long wings with a wingspan of 9.2 ft, a wedge-shaped tail, and legs covered in feathers up to the toes.
It has a pale pink to cream bill, brown to dark brown eyes, and off-white feet. The wedge-tailed eagle has an average life of about 30 years.
White Tailed Eagle
- Avg wingspan: 7 ft
- Max wingspan: 8.2 ft
- Weight: 4 – 7.5kg (8.8 – 17lbs)
- Length: 37 in
- Location: Eurasia and North America
White-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) are also called White-Tailed Sea Eagles as they like to be near water. They have wingspans up to 8 ft wide.
White-tailed eagles are large birds with brown bodies and white heads and necks. White-tailed eagles eat birds, fish, hares and rabbits. They can live for 21 to 25 years in the wild and up to 42 years in captivity.
Golden Eagle
- Avg wingspan: 6 ft
- Max wingspan: 7.5 ft
- Weight: 3.2 – 6.4kg (7.1 – 14 lbs)
- Length: 27-39 in
- Location: Eurasia, North Africa, North America
The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a majestic bird with golden-brown feathers. Golden eagles have a wingspan of around 6 ft to 7 ft and their feathers go down to their toes. They can live up to 30 years or more in the wild. Female Golden Eagles are larger than male eagles.
Adult golden eagles have a slightly smaller and darker bill compared to bald eagles. Golden eagles hunt rodents, rabbits, birds, reptiles, and carrion. They are also common in Michigan.
Martial Eagle
- Avg wingspan: 6.4 ft
- Max wingspan: 8.5 ft
- Weight: 3-6.4kg (6.5– 14lbs)
- Length: 35 in
- Location: Sub-Saharan Africa
Martial Eagles (Polemaetus bellicosus) live in the savannah and thornbush regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. They are very powerful birds, able to knock down a grown man. This big eagle has a wingspan of around 6 ft, but some say it can be over 8 feet and has an average lifespan is up to 30 years
Largest Eagles by Weight
Here is the list of largest eagles in the world by weight:
Steller’s Sea Eagle
- Avg Weight: 5kg (11lbs)
- Max Weight: 9kg (20 lbs)
- Location: Eastern Russia, Korea, Japan, and northeastern China
The Steller’s Sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) is the heaviest eagle, weighing between 5 to 9 kg (11 to 20 lbs) and has an average lifespan of 20–25 years in the wild
Steller’s Sea Eagles are known for being strong and aggressive behavior. These large birds have dark brown to black feathers with white patches on their wings, thighs, and tails.
Harpy Eagle
- Avg Weight: 5.95kg (13lbs)
- Max Weight: 9kg (20 lbs)
- Location: Tropical rainforests of Central and South America
The Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) is one of the strongest eagles globally, known for its power. Their feathers are black, grey, and white. They eat sloths, opossums, and monkeys. Male harpy eagles weigh 9 to 11 pounds, while females weigh 13 to 20 pounds and has an average lifespan of 25–35 years in the wild.
Philippine Eagle
- Avg Weight: 6kg (13lbs)
- Max Weight: 8kg (18 lbs)
- Location: Rainforests of the Philippines
The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is the national bird of the Philippines. Deforestation, human activity, and shooting have harmed the bird. The Peregrine Fund says there are only about 500 Philippine Eagles left, living only in the Philippines rainforests. They weigh about 6 to 8 kg (13 to 18 pounds) and have an average lifespan of 26–30 years.
White Tailed Eagle
- Avg Weight: 4kg (8.8lbs)
- Max Weight: 7.5kg (17lbs
- Location: Eurasia and North America
White-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla), also known as White-tailed Sea eagles, prefer to be close to water. They are big birds with brown bodies and white heads and necks. These eagles feed on birds, fish, hares, and rabbits. They can live up to 25 years in the wild and up to 42 years in captivity.
Largest Eagles by Height
Here is the list of largest eagles in the world by Height:
Philippine Eagle
- Medium Height: 1m (3ft 2in)
- Max height: 1.12m (3ft 8in)
Harpy Eagle
- Medium Height: 0.955m (3ft 2in)
- Max height: 1.07m (3ft 6in)
Wedge Tailed Eagle
- Medium Height: 0.955m (3ft 2in)
- Max height: 1.06m (3ft 6in)
Steller’s Sea Eagle
- Medium Height: 0.95m (3ft 1in)
- Max height: 1.05m (3ft 5in)
FAQs – Biggest Eagle in the World
What is the Biggest Eagle in the World?
Biggest eagles in the world are the Haast (the largest eagle that ever lived), Martial, Philippine, Harpy, and Steller’s Sea eagles.
Which is the Largest Eagle in the World?
The Haast eagle was the biggest eagle in the world, like a mix of a vulture and a raptor. It hunted and ate the insides of its prey. Haast’s eagle was a 15-kilogram predator that lived in New Zealand until about 700 years ago.
Which is the Strongest Eagle in the World?
The Harpy eagle is one of the strongest raptors in the world. Its talons can crush prey bones with hundreds of pounds of pressure.
How Big Are Philippine Eagles Compared to Bald Eagles?
The Bald eagle is smaller and lighter than the Philippine eagle. The Philippine Eagle is usually longer and heavier than the Bald Eagle. But the American Bald Eagle has a larger wingspan, with a maximum reported length of 8 ft compared to the Philippine Eagle’s 7 ft.
Why is Philippine Eagle Endangered?
Human activity like deforestation has almost wiped out these rare eagles. Habitat destruction from lodging, agriculture, and mining is a major issue. The eagles are often shot by locals, even though it is against Philippine laws.
What is the Fastest Eagle in the World?
The Golden Eagle is one of the fastest eagles in the world, usually fly at 30 mph but can go up to 120 mph when hunting. When they dive for prey, they can reach speeds of 200 mph.
Which is the Better Hunter, an Eagle or a Peacock?
A peacock is a big pretty bird, but an eagle has sharp talons and a strong beak and can easily kill a peacock if it’s hungry.
Who is More Powerful, Golden Eagle or Bald Eagle?
The golden eagle is stronger than the bald eagle. It is bigger and can hunt deer, sheep and peacocks.