Eagles are amazing birds. God designed them to have beautiful markings, strong beaks, and fierce talons (claws). Their power impresses peoples all over the world and many cultures revere them as a particularly special creature. In fact, the eagle is the national symbol of at least 24 countries on four different continents.
Indigenous cultures in Canada give the eagle a special place of importance and consider it the strongest and bravest of all birds. An eagle feather is a symbol of honor.
Eagles are expert hunters. Because they hunt by sight, they have excellent vision and are able to see more colors than we can. If you were an eagle, you would be able to see a rabbit over a mile (1,600 meters) away!
Eagles often hunt as they soar above the earth. When the sun heats the earth, hot air rises, creating wind currents called thermals. An eagle’s large wings trap this rising air, lifting the bird high into the sky. When eagles soar, they barely have to flap their wings at all, letting them soar thousands of feet (or meters) into the air without any effort.
Dig Deeper
Eagles are mentioned more than 25 times in the Bible. The Bible speaks of their power and speed, and about how they soar. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.” This passage lets us know that sometimes things might seem tough, but God is bigger than whatever our current circumstances are.
Try This!
The golden eagle lives in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. It might be the kind of eagle mentioned in the Bible. It has a wingspan of 73-87 inches (185-220 centimeters). Your “wingspan” is the distance from one fingertip to the opposite fingertip when you hold out your arms straight out. Measure your own wingspan and the wingspans of other people in your house. How do your wingspans compare to a golden eagle’s?
About the Author
Susie Vander Vaart is an environmental educator and ecologist who spends most of her time outside exploring creation.
