How many species of eagles are there?

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In common parlance, large, impressive birds of prey are referred to as eagles. However, the biologists differentiate between different orders, genera, families and of course species. So how many species there are of the birds of prey depends on how you classify the eagle species.

Osprey approaching its eyrie
Osprey approaching its eyrie

There are numerous griffins that call themselves eagles, but are very different in their degree of relationship. In Germany there are four species of eagles.

Eagle species worldwide

  • The question can be answered correctly if one restricts oneself directly to the real eagles. In this genus Aquila there are 12 species, including the golden eagle and lesser spotted eagle (Aquila chrysaetos and Aquila pomarina) living in Germany. This genus belongs to the family of the hawk-like (Accipitridae) and here again to the subfamily of the buzzard-like (Buteoninae).
  • In the case of the hawk-like species, it is assumed that there are around 260 different species. The systematics of all birds that are called birds of prey, birds of prey or eagles is very confusing. How many eagles there are worldwide depends on the point of view from which you approach the question. Even scientists classify some eagle species differently.
  • About 15 genera are included in the Names the ending "-adler". These include, for example, hawk eagles, crested eagles, magpie or sea eagles. Some species are already extinct and many are critically endangered.

There aren't many in Germany

  • There are exactly four types of eagles that live in Germany. The golden eagle can still be found in a few specimens in the Alps. Sea eagles, ospreys and lesser spotted eagles can be found in the northeast, i.e. in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Brandenburg. The stocks are heavily protected.
  • Eagle species in Germany - this is how you recognize the different birds

    In Germany you can observe four different types of eagles in the wild. …

  • In the 30s of the last century the eagles were almost extinct in Germany. Today there are few golden eagle pairs in seclusion in the Alps. Your stock is considered stable. In the sea eagles and ospreys (Haliaeetus albicilla and Pandion haliaetus) this is even recovering. How many pairs breed and raise young is precisely documented. Only in the spotted eagle does the number of specimens decrease. He is most at risk.
  • The latter species is also known as the Pomeranian eagle and is also the smallest representative of the German eagle. He and the osprey are migratory birds. They migrate to Africa's savannahs over winter. Many specimens of the imposing birds of prey are also endangered by the dangerous migration. Here in Germany there are only a few areas that are still suitable as living space. However, all eagle species are specifically promoted through special protection programs.

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