What is the Largest Bird of Prey?

Birds of prey are the most awe inspiring, powerful and majestic living entities in the avian world. Bird of prey, or raptors, are characterized by their unparalleled eyesight, speed, sharp, strong talons and their hooked beaks, which are designed for tearing the flesh of their prey. They have been designed by nature to fit perfectly into their ecological role in our world. Their size and hunting style dictate what they feed on and where they live. 

What Are The 5 Largest Birds Of Prey In The World?

Some large raptors are capable of taking down very large mammals. Others feed on smaller prey such as mice and insects. They are at the top of their respective food chains due to their size and hunting abilities. Let’s explore the five largest birds of prey and their habitat, size, diet and the dominant hunters of the skies. 

1. The Largest Flying Bird of Prey: Andean Condor

The first on our list is the Andean Condor. It has a wing span of up to 10 and a half feet or 3.2 metres and an average weight of about 15 kg or 33 lbs. The Andean Condor is found predominantly in the Andes Mountains of South America and is considered the largest raptor when measuring wingspan. These huge raptors can soar for hours, seldom flapping their wings, making good use of the air current, or thermals, in the Andes Mountains.  They are so big that they need the height of the mountains to lift off. Their wingspan enables them to glide so well that they are the most energy efficient flyers in the world.

Andean Condors are mostly scavengers, feeding on the carcasses of deer, livestock, or other wild animals large enough to catch their attention. Their sense of smell and keen eyesight allows them to detect the smell of rotting meat from great distances. Their size allows them to dominate over vultures or other animals that compete for the meat of carcasses. They rarely eat live prey, but will do so if they are hungry enough and haven’t found their typical prey of dead meat. Unfortunately, their numbers are declining due to humans decimating their habitats and killing them in fear for their livestock. They are revered in the South American culture as symbols freedom and power.

2. The Second Largest Bird of Prey: Harpy Eagle

The second largest bird of prey in the world is the Harpy Eagle. The Harpy has a wingspan of about 7 and a half feet or 2.3 metres and can weigh up to 20 lbs or 9 kg. The Harpy Eagle is the largest eagle of the Central and South American rainforests. Named after the harpies of Greek Mythology, this raptor has a formidable and masterly presence with huge, strong talons that are capable of crushing bones. Its legs can actually grow to be thicker than a man's wrist. The strength of this raptor makes it an intimidating and fearsome hunter in the jungle.

Harpy eagles prey on mostly tree-dwelling animals, monkeys, sloths, even the large gorillas. The harpy will snatch their prey from the trees, or grab them as the prey moves from tree to tree and knock them to the ground, killing their prey as they hit the ground.  Harpies are strong and powerful enough to carry animals that weigh more than they do. They are incredibly agile and able to fly through the dense rainforests to catch their prey. Harpies typically hunt alone, but occasionally have been observed to hunt in pairs. They usually mate for life and can live in the wild for over 30 years. Their numbers are also declining due to loss of habitat and they are now considered a threatened species.

3. The Third Largest Bird of Prey: Stellar's Sea Eagle

Third on our list is the Stellar’s Sea Eagle. With a wingspan of up to 8.2 ft or 2.5 metres and a weight of 20 lbs or 9 kg, this raptor is visually stunning in appearance with dark brown feathers and a bright yellow beak. It is a beautiful looking raptor. The Stellar’s sea eagle is native to coastal regions in Russia, northeastern Siberia and northern Japan. They are primarily fish eaters. They like the larger fish such as trout and salmon but will hunt smaller mammals and birds as well. They will eat almost any protein, dead or alive, including seabirds like gulls, puffins, they will even eat a deer carcass. These very large raptors are aggressive hunters and will swoop down into the waters of the rivers or the sea to snatch fish from near the surface. Their large powerful beaks are capable of tearing through tough fish scales and flesh.

These raptors are rare and not a lot is known about them due to the remote nature of their habitat. They are known to dive more than 30 metres to catch their food. With very sharp talons they catch and hold their food until it is dead. They can live for up to 25 years in the wild. The Stellar’s sea eagle is given complete protection in Russia and Japan, so they are not on the endangered or threatened species list. They tend to live in such remote places that humans have not destroyed their habitat.

4. The Fourth Largest Bird of Prey: Golden Eagle

The fourth on our list is the Golden Eagle. The golden eagle is probably one of the most well known species of raptors (along with the bald eagle). They are known globally and revered in many cultures for their incredible hunting skills and majesty. In Native American culture, they are looked upon as messengers - as flying closest to the creator. They are found throughout the northern hemisphere and widely acknowledged for their astonishing speed and power in the air, diving on prey at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour (240 km/h), surpassed only by the falcon. They have a wingspan of about 7.7 feet, 2.4 metres, and a weight of 15 lbs or 6.8 kg.

The golden eagle preys on medium to small sized mammals - rabbits, hare, rodents, medium sized birds like geese and duck, reptiles like snakes, even other smaller raptors. They have been know to feed on larger animals - deer fawn, even adult sheep or goats. Their strong talons and sharp beaks makes a meal of prey larger than they are. The golden eagles prefer wide open spaces like prairies and grasslands where they can use their keen vision to spot their prey from great distances.

Golden eagles are protected in many countries. They are also barometers of the ecological balance in their ecosystems, like many birds of prey are. If the birds of prey are in healthy abundance then the ecosystem is in healthy balance. They help control the populations of rodents and small mammals. Golden eagles, like many eagles and other birds of prey, are revered by many cultures due to the size and majesty of these creatures. They are a beautiful example of the elegance and magnificence of Mother Nature.

5. The Fifth Largest Bird of Prey: Martial Eagle

Last, but certainly not least, on our list is the Martial Eagle. The marital eagle is found in Africa. It is the most powerful bird of prey on that continent. With a wingspan of 8 and a half feet, 2.6 metres, and a weight 14 lbs, 6.5 kg, it has powerful talons and amazing eyes. The martial eagle is an extraordinary hunter and capable of taking prey much larger than its own size. It isn’t unusual for it to take a small antelope, an ostrich or goat sized animal. A lion cub makes a great lunch!

These eagles are known for their versatility in hunting. They are at home in open savannahs or in wooded areas. They use their keen eyesight to find prey from great heights, then dive quickly, almost as fast as a golden eagle. They use their speed, strength  and agility to incapacitate their prey.

Unfortunately, they are now on the vulnerable list and their populations are declining due to hunting of these magnificent creatures, and the habitat destruction by humans.

The world’s largest birds of prey are Mother Nature at her best. The majestic and glorious raptors are each perfectly adapted to their environment with unique hunting abilities and physical attributes for the ecosystems they live in. These raptors are all apex predators that play critical and significant roles in maintaining the balance in their ecosystems. Unfortunately, many of them are threatened by human activities and loss of habitat, which has lessened their numbers. Conservation efforts are underway in many places around this world we all share. Conservation and public education is very important in ensuring these magnificent creatures continue to soar above our heads for generations to come.

Learn more about Birds of Prey at Hawkeye

Did you know that you can see a Golden Eagle and a Bald Eagle up close at Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control?  In this one hour experience visit with our Eagles, learn about Eagles, watch a flight demonstration and hold an Eagle on your gloved hand! Hop on over to our Eagle Adventure page and book your very own experience online. 

Contact Hawkeye for Expert Wildlife Management Through Birds of Prey!

Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control uses Birds of Prey as a natural and humane way to control behavioural patterns of pest birds such as gulls (seagulls), pigeons, geese, sparrows and starlings. Taking advantage of the natural relationship between predators and their prey, our raptors are trained to scare and chase pest birds from any given area.  Pest birds quickly learn that that area is not safe and move on. Falconry provides faster and longer-lasting bird control results than other 'scare' methods such as electronic noise makers, shooting or trapping. Falconry is truly nature's way of bird control. Contact us today to find out more!