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To go in article Eagle

Groups

Eagles are often informally considered in four groups. [note 1] [2]

The fish eagles, booted eagles, and harpy eagles have traditionally been placed in subfamily Buteoninae together with the buteonine group and harriers. Some authors may treat these groups as tribes of the Buteoninae; Lerner & Mindell proposed separating the eagle groups into their own subfamilies of the Accipitridae.

Fish eagles

Sea eagles or fish eagles take fish as a large part of their diets, either fresh or as carrion.

Proposed subfamily Haliaeetinae. Genera: Haliaeetus, Ichthyophaga.

Some authors include Gypohierax angolensis, the "vulturine fish eagle" (also called the palm-nut vulture) in this group.[2] However, genetic analyses indicate it is related to a grouping of Neophron–Gypaetus–Eutriorchis (Egyptian vulture, bearded vulture (lammergeier), and Madagascan serpent eagle).[3]

The fish eagles have a close genetic relationship with Haliastur and Milvus; the whole group is only distantly related to the Buteo group.[3]

Booted eagles

For the species Hieraaetus pennatus (Aquila pennata), see booted eagle.

Booted eagles or "true eagles"[2][4] have feathered tarsi (lower legs).

Proposed subfamily Aquilinae or tribe Aquililae. Genera: Aquila, Hieraaetus; Spizaetus, Oroaetus, Spizastur; Nisaetus[3]; Ictinaetus, Lophoaetus; Polemaetus; and Stephanoaetus.[2][4]

See comments under eagle species for changes to the composition of these genera.

Snake eagles

Snake or serpent eagles are, as the name suggests, adapted to hunting reptiles.

Despite filling the niche of a snake eagle, genetic studies suggest that the Madagascan serpent eagle Eutriorchis is not related.[3]

Harpy eagles

Harpy eagles[2] or "giant forest eagles"[1] are large eagles that inhabit tropical forests. The group contains two to six species, depending on the author. Although these birds occupy similar niches, and have traditionally been grouped together, they are not all related: the solitary eagles are related to the black-hawks, and the Philippine eagle to the snake eagles.

Notes

  1. ^ "There are four major groups of eagles: fish eagles, booted eagles, snake eagles and giant forest eagles."[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Stalcup, Carolyn. "All About Eagles". The American Eagle Foundation. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Rutledge, Hope. "Eagles of the World". American Bald Eagle Information. Retrieved 11 June 2014. from Grambo, Rebecca L. (1999). Eagles. Voyageur Press, Inc.
  3. ^ a b c d Lerner, Heather R. L.; Mindell, David P. (09 May 2006). "Accipitridae". The Tree of Life Web Project. ((cite web)): Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ a b Bouglouan, Nicole. "The booted eagles throughout the world: introduction". Oiseaux-birds. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
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