Other choices of food can be mice, martens, foxes, young deer, and mountain goats. What Do Eagles Eat. Eagles will hunt and eat just about any type of small mammal they can find including newborn lambs, newborn pigs, bunnies, rats, squirrels, mongoose, gerbils, hamsters, kittens, puppies, hedgehogs, and many others. There are about 60 species of eagles which are seen in Eurasia and Africa, and outside these areas, only two species are seen. If food is scarce, they will gorge and eat much more but if they can make a regular kill, they usually eat less. Eagles swallow a fish head first because fish are oriented to go down smoother when they are consumed head first. In zoos and animal parks, eagles are fed by leaving food in their enclosure or they are fed while wearing gloves because they can easily harm humans with their sharp talons or beaks. In captivity, eagles are usually fed on strips of lean meat. They also feed their young ones with such a big catch. They are beautiful and majestic birds which also need to be preserved. Given below is the brief description of both these species and also information on their respective diet. You must have seen eagles feasting on their prey, either on the ground or high up on tree tops. They are larger in size, are preying birds, and are more powerful, with heavy heads and hooked beaks. In harsh conditions, eagles will eat large insects. They have very large spreading wings, which are broad and relatively longer than other birds. The best way to feed eagles is by allowing them to do their hunting. They are capable of carrying about 4 pounds in their talons and hence they don’t mind hunting for bigger prey. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The biggest diet variations they have are that they occasionally eat large insects and they might consume carrion meat. These cookies do not store any personal information. The eagle watches its prey and then dives down to grab it with either its talons or beak. Eagles are large birds which belong to the family Accipitridae, and to several genera that are not closely related to each other. Their thick feathers also help protect them from bites because it makes it harder for snakes to make a direct hit when the eagle’s wings are spread. Their keen eyesight allows them to spot smaller birds from great distances and their longer wingspan and aerodynamic bodies make it possible for them to fly much faster so they can dive down and catch slower birds. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Their eyesight is also one of their best assets, as their extremely large pupils ensure minimal diffraction (scattering) of the incoming light so they can see the prey easily. Golden eagles generally feed on other birds too; those that are either tiny or those which can’t fly very fast, like the phasianids, ptarmigans, and grouse become their prey. Fish comprise a major portion of their diet. Eagles are quite fond of hunting and eating other birds, including other eagle species. Eagles will occasionally scavenge for food. This helps them avoid toxic snake bites. These birds are hunters. Here is a quick look at the most common food these large birds love to eat. If you want to supplement an eagle, you can leave out some carrion meat in a feeding area. Their sharp sight helps them identify prey from high altitudes or long distances and they are remarkably successful with their hunting expeditions. Eagles are carnivore birds of prey. Eagles can catch and eat small pets. Many species such as bald eagles enjoy eating snakes occasionally. They are more direct and have extra strength to provide faster flight to these carnivorous birds. There is not much of a difference among the diets of both the most commonly-found eagle species in the US, the bald and the golden eagle. Some species even like eating fruit. 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