Eagle Sizes: A Look at the Largest

Eagles are large birds of prey with more than 60 species across several genera in the family Accipitridae. Most eagles are found in Eurasia and Africa, while only two species, the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), make their homes in North America. Eagles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from the South Nicobar serpent eagle (Spilornis klossi), which is 16 inches tall and weighs only one pound, to the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja), which is 40 inches tall and weighs 20 pounds. The wingspans of the world’s largest eagles can reach more than 8 feet. Continue reading to discover 5 of the largest eagles.

Bald Eagle

Bald eagles aren’t the largest eagles around, but they’re not small by any means. These large birds of prey can grow to weigh up to 14 pounds with a body length of around 36 inches. However, their claim to fame (other than their iconic title as a national symbol) is their wingspan, which is over seven feet from tip to tip, placing it among the largest eagle wingspans in the world.

Male bald eagles are slightly smaller than their female counterparts. Males typically do not weigh more than 10 pounds, and their wingspans rarely exceed 6 feet. Bald eagles range widely throughout North America. 

Golden Eagle

Golden eagles can weigh up to around 14 pounds. Female golden eagles, however, can reach 15 pounds and, in rare instances, can weigh even more. In 2017, a particularly large female golden eagle was banded and released in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest. Weighing in at 17 pounds, she’s officially the largest golden eagle ever recorded in the wild. Golden eagles’ wingspans range from 5.9 to 7.7 feet. Their talons can grow to be 2.5 inches long.

Harpy Eagle

Female harpy eagles can grow to 40 inches tall and weigh up to 15 pounds. Males are noticeably smaller, rarely reaching 10 pounds. Despite their large size, harpy eagles have relatively short (up to 6.5 feet) wingspans compared to other big birds of prey. This allows them to easily navigate their habitats in the rainforest canopies of Central and South America. Their talons can grow to be up to four inches long, making them some of the largest and most powerful among birds of prey.

Philippine Eagle

The Philippine eagle has one of the largest wingspans among extant eagle species, typically measuring up to about 7 feet (2.2 meters). These giant birds of prey can weigh up to 18 pounds and grow to be 3 feet tall.  Philippine eagles are critically endangered, with only around 400 breeding pairs remaining in the wild. Deforestation is the leading cause of population decline in these majestic birds, which require lots of space to thrive.