These eagles often target various arboreal or ground-dwelling mammals and birds, which are often unsuspectingly ambushed in such dense, knotty environments. Many other eagles, including the species-rich genus Spizaetus, live predominantly in woodlands and forests. Where Aquila eagles are absent, other eagles, such as the buteonine black-chested buzzard-eagle of South America, may assume the position of top raptorial predator in open areas. The eagles of the genus Aquila are often the top birds of prey in open habitats, taking almost any medium-sized vertebrate they can catch. The snake and serpent eagles of the genera Circaetus, Terathopius, and Spilornis predominantly prey on the great diversity of snakes found in the tropics of Africa and Asia. The Haliaeetus and Ichthyophaga eagles prefer to capture fish, though the species in the former often capture various animals, especially other water birds, and are powerful kleptoparasites of other birds. Дue to the size and power of many eagle species, they are ranked at the top of the food chain as apex predators in the avian world. The parents take no action to stop the killing. The dominant chick tends to be a female, as they are bigger than the male. Many species lay two eggs, but the older, larger chick frequently kills its younger sibling once it has hatched.

Д®agles normally build their nests, called eyries, in tall trees or on high cliffs. The female of all known species of eagles is larger than the male. This keen eyesight is primarily attributed to their extremely large pupils which ensure minimal diffraction (scattering) of the incoming light. This acuity enables eagles to spot potential prey from a very long distance. It is estimated that the martial eagle, whose eye is more than twice as long as a human eye, has a visual acuity up to 8 times that of humans. The beak is typically heavier than that of most other birds of prey. Like all birds of prey, eagles have very large hooked beaks for ripping flesh from their prey, strong, muscular legs, and powerful talons. The smallest species of eagle is the South Nicobar serpent eagle ( Spilornis klossi), at 450В g (1В lb) and 40В cm (16В in). Most eagles are larger than any other raptors apart from some vultures. jamaicensis), have relatively longer and more evenly broad wings, and more direct, faster flight вЂ“ despite the reduced size of aerodynamic feathers.

Even the smallest eagles, such as the booted eagle ( Aquila pennata), which is comparable in size to a common buzzard ( Buteo buteo) or red-tailed hawk ( B. Eagles are large, powerfully built birds of prey, with heavy heads and beaks.

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