Eagle

The term eagle is in the German language, a slang term for large, impressive birds of prey.

Numerous birds of prey in their name the suffix "- eagle ". Among the species so designated include representatives of many genera and families, the "Eagle" are therefore not a monophyletic group. The designation of a bird of prey as an eagle is historically and usually referred to large, "noble" looking types with a large wingspan.

In the Accipitridae family following genera are referred to as " eagle " or have in their species names end with " eagle ":

• Monkeys Adler ( Pithecophaga )
• True eagle ( Aquila)
• Hermit Adler ( Harpyhaliaetus )
• Elster Adler ( Spizastur )
• Fish Eagle ( Ichthyophaga )
• Bonelli's eagle ( Hieraaetus )
• Hawk-Eagle ( Spizaetus )
• Isidore Adler ( Oroaetus )
• Martial Eagle ( Polemaetus )
• Crowned Eagle ( Stephanoaetus )
• Malays Adler ( Ictinaetus )
• Papua Adler ( Harpyopsis )
• Hawk eagle ( Lophaetus )
• Eagle (Haliaeetus )
• Würgadler ( Morphnus )

The osprey is a separate family ( Pandionidae ), snake eagles form a separate subfamily ( Circaetinae ).

The largest eagle that ever lived, was the Haastadler in New Zealand. He died in about 1400 AD.

The eagle as a symbol

In ancient times, an eagle bird of the Greek gods Zeus and was - according to Zeus - the supreme Roman god Jupiter and a symbol of power and victory. In mythology, the griffin is to find which has the head and neck of an eagle. After Löwenadler are the most popular heraldic animals. The term Aar is both in heraldry and in the Poetics for eagle. In the iconography of an eagle is the symbol animal of John the Evangelist. Several Indian ethnicities worship eagles as sacred animals. Manufactured on the upper part of the wing bones eagle bone whistles were signal and Zeremonialpfeifen with which the warriors before battle courage should be made.