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The Steller's sea eagle stands out as the sole species featured in all three categories used to determine the world's largest eagles. Manuel ROMARIS / Getty ImagesEssential Insights
- Weighing between 11 to 20 pounds (5 to 9 kilograms) and boasting a wingspan of approximately 8 feet (2.4 meters), the Steller's sea eagle is the heaviest eagle species.
- Native to Central and South America, the harpy eagle's females can weigh up to 20 pounds (9.1 kilograms) and have a wingspan reaching 6 feet, 6 inches (2 meters).
- With a height of about 3 feet (0.9 meters), the Philippine eagle is critically endangered, with an estimated 500 individuals left in the wild.
Eagles are truly majestic when they spread their wings. Consider the bald eagle, for instance. As the national bird of the United States, its wingspan varies between 5.5 feet (1.68 meters) and 8 feet (2.4 meters).
Yet, wingspan isn't the sole metric for determining the largest eagles globally. Weight and height are equally crucial factors. This article explores eagle species that exemplify each of these measurements.
5 Eagles with the Most Impressive Wingspans
Although the bald eagle doesn't top the list for wingspan, it shares the spotlight with other remarkable species. Below are five eagles renowned for their expansive wingspans.
5. Golden Eagle
In Kazakhstan, a golden eagle rests on the arm of its hunting companion.
Timothy Allen / Getty ImagesWith a wingspan of 6 feet, 6 inches (1.98 meters), golden eagles are distinguished by their feathered legs extending to their toes. This protected species can thrive in the wild for up to three decades.
4. White-tailed Eagle
White-tailed eagle.
Lakes4life / Getty Images
The wingspan of white-tailed eagles can extend up to 8 feet (2.4 meters). Often referred to as white-tailed sea eagles, these birds are frequently found near aquatic environments.
Once on the brink of extinction in Britain, white-tailed eagles have made a remarkable recovery thanks to conservation initiatives. In 2023, the first chick in over 240 years hatched in England, marking a historic milestone.
"This is an extraordinary achievement for everyone involved in, supported, and followed this pioneering initiative," remarked Roy Dennis, founder of the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation. "Reestablishing a breeding population in southern England, where these eagles were once prevalent, has always been our primary objective. While many doubted its feasibility, we were confident in the abundance of their diet — including fish, cuttlefish, rabbits, hares, and wild birds."
3. American Bald Eagle
A bald eagle and its chick.
Mark Newman / Getty ImagesThe wingspan of American bald eagles varies between 5.5 feet (1.68 meters) and 8 feet (2.4 meters). Females are approximately 25 percent larger than males. Bald eagles construct the largest nests among North American birds, and both parents share the responsibility of guarding their nests to ensure the safety of their young.
2. Steller's Sea Eagle
Steller's sea eagle.
Henrik Karlsson / Getty ImagesThe Steller's sea eagle boasts a wingspan of approximately 8 feet (2.4 meters). Recognized by Guinness World Records as the "largest eagle," this title is attributed to its impressive combination of wingspan and weight, ranging from 11 to 20 pounds (5 to 9 kilograms).
1. Martial Eagle
Martial eagle.
Paul Souders / Getty ImagesThis impressive eagle species typically has a wingspan averaging around 6 feet, 4 inches (1.9 meters), though some reports suggest it can exceed 8 feet (2.4 meters).
Top 5 Heaviest Eagle Species
These eagles rank among the heaviest in the world.
5. Martial Eagle
Martial eagles, Africa's largest eagles, weigh between 6.6 and 13.6 pounds (3 and 6.2 kilograms).
4. White-tailed Eagle
In addition to its remarkable wingspan, the white-tailed eagle is also among the heaviest eagle species, weighing between 6.8 pounds (3.1 kilograms) and 15.2 pounds (6.9 kilograms). Its diet includes fish, hares, muskrats, ducks, and carrion.
3. Philippine Eagle
Philippine eagle.
© 2011 Voltaire Malazarte / Getty ImagesThe national bird of the Philippines, this eagle weighs between 10 to 18 pounds (4.5 to 8.2 kilograms). Deforestation, human activities, and hunting have severely impacted this endangered species. According to The Peregrine Fund, only around 500 Philippine Eagles remain, all residing in the Philippines.
2. Harpy Eagle
Harpy eagle.
Gabrielle Therin-Weise / Getty ImagesMale harpy eagles weigh between 9 to 11 pounds (4.1 to 4.99 kilograms), while females can reach 13 to 20 pounds (5.9 to 9.1 kilograms). These harpy eagles inhabit the rainforests of Central and South America, boasting an impressive wingspan of 6 feet, 6 inches (2 meters).
1. Steller's Sea Eagle
The Steller's sea eagle holds the title of the heaviest eagle, weighing between 11 to 20 pounds (5 to 9 kilograms).
Top 5 Tallest Eagles
These eagles are among the tallest in the world.
5. Philippine Eagle
The Philippine eagle stands approximately 3 feet (0.9 meters) tall.
4. Crowned Eagle
Crowned eagle.
Paul Grace Photography Somersham / Getty ImagesAfrican crowned eagles measure between 2.6 and 3.25 feet (0.79 and 0.99 meters) in height. Known for their strength, they can hunt animals up to four times their size, though they cannot lift prey larger than themselves.
3. Wedge-tailed Eagle
Wedged-tailed eagle.
Dion Thompson Photography / Getty ImagesThis eagle species can grow up to 3 feet, 3 inches (1 meter) tall. Known for their strength, they can lift prey weighing up to 11 pounds (5 kilograms), which is roughly their own weight. The wedge-tailed eagle has an average lifespan of around 20 years.
2. Harpy Eagle
These birds range in height from 3 feet (0.9 meters) to 3 feet, 4 inches (1 meter).
1. Steller's Sea Eagle
These majestic birds stand between 2 feet, 8 inches (0.86 meters) and 3 feet, 5 inches (1.04 meters) tall.
