How long do eagles live?

Eagles are predatory birds belonging to the Accipitridae family and to the order of the Accipitriformes. These birds stand out for their large size and wingspan, as well as for being the apex of their species in the food chain. If you ask yourself how long do eagles live?, the answer is: between 15 and 20 years old. However, this lifespan may change depending on the species and the ecosystem where it lives.

Eagles lifespan

Answering this question can be quite complex because the life expectancy of an eagle depends on many factors such as the type of species, diet or environment in which it develops. Below, we explain it in detail.

How long do eagles live in the wild?

The average life span of eagles in the wild ranges between 15 and 20 years, however, and in order to offer you more precise information, we present the life expectancy of eagles according to their type of species:

• Wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax): the life expectancy of this eagle is approximately 20 years.
• Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus): its life expectancy is approximately 20 years; however, some specimens are known to have exceeded this figure.
• Chaco eagle/Azara eagle (Buteogallus coronatus): this is one of the eagles with the lowest longevity, since its average life is around 15 years.
• Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos): the average life span of this eagle is quite inexact, since it ranges from 13 to 32 years old.
• Harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja): this is one of the eagles with the longest longevity, it can live between 25 and 35 years.

How long do eagles live in captivity?

The average life span of eagles in captivity easily exceeds 30 years. In controlled environments and with specialized diets, eagles can dramatically increase their life expectancy. There was a golden eagle that reached 46 years of age.

Where do eagles live?

Eagles have evolved over the years to adapt to most existing climates and biomes. For this reason, eagle species can be found in the five great continents (Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania). Each of these species of Eagles inhabits and predominates in certain climates and continents, below, we explain in detail.

• Habitat of the wedge-tailed eagle: inhabits Australia.
• Habitat of the bald eagle: native to North America.
• Habitat of the Chaco eagle: lives in Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay.
• Habitat of the royal eagle: can be found in North America, Europe, Asia and North Africa.
• Habitat of the harpy eagle: native to temperate climates in Latin America.

It should be noted that, no species of eagle inhabits the Antarctic.

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What do eagles eat?

The diet of eagles depends, to a large extent, on the species and the ecosystem where it lives. However, broadly speaking, the diet of eagles consists of smaller birds, rodents, raccoons, beavers, hares, rabbits, small deer, fish, monkeys, snakes, lizards, turtles, reptiles and they can also feed on carrion.

Interesting facts about eagles

These are some of the most interesting facts about eagles:

Unsurpassed sense of sight

The vision of the eagles is incredible; first of all, it allows them to detect a prey several feet away. Once the prey is detected, the eagle plunges from great heights, developing speeds that exceed 124 mph with ease, and despite this, the eagle's field of vision is not affected, and much less loses the focus of its prey.

The top of the food chain

Eagles are predators at the apex of the food chain. Consequently, there is no predator that poses a considerable danger to them (except for humans).

Monogamy as a lifestyle

The eagle is monogamous by nature, once it reaches maturity it will look for a mate to settle with and have a new chick every year.