The Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle holds the record for the largest wingspan among eagles, reaching an impressive 2.84 meters (9.3 feet). The harpy eagle is the heaviest, with wild females weighing up to 10 kilograms (22 pounds), while the Steller’s sea eagle consistently rivals both in sheer mass and wingspan, making it one of the most powerful raptors alive.
This article explores the largest eagles ever recorded, focusing on verified maximums from wild individuals. While captive birds may occasionally grow even larger, we highlight wild size data alongside each species’ physical adaptations and conservation status.
Steller’s sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus)
- Wingspan: Up to 2.7 m (8.9 ft).
- Weight: Up to 9.5 kg (20.9 lbs).
- Where found: Russian Far East, wintering in Japan, Korea, northeastern China.
- Conservation status: Vulnerable.
The Steller’s sea eagle is among the heaviest and most powerfully built eagles in the world. Adult females can weigh up to 9.5 kilograms (20.9 pounds), with an average wingspan of around 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) and confirmed individuals reaching 2.7 meters (8.9 feet). Unverified reports suggest some may span as much as 2.8 meters (9.2 feet), making it a contender for the largest living eagle by wingspan. The species is instantly recognizable by its dark plumage, contrasting white wing and tail markings, and an enormous yellow beak. Females are significantly larger than males, and the wedge-shaped tail helps distinguish it from the closely related white-tailed eagle.
This eagle thrives along coastal areas, rivers, and large lakes where fish are plentiful. While it actively hunts salmon and other fish, it is also an opportunistic scavenger, particularly in winter, when many individuals congregate in Japan’s Hokkaido region to feed on fishery waste and carrion. Conservation concerns include habitat destruction from logging and infrastructure development in Russia, lead poisoning from ingested ammunition in Japan, and rising dependence on human-related food sources. With fewer than 4,500 mature individuals remaining, the species remains vulnerable, requiring international cooperation to safeguard both its breeding and wintering grounds.
Wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax)
- Wingspan: Up to 2.84 m (9.3 ft).
- Weight: Up to 5.8 kg (12.8 lbs).
- Where found: Australia (including Tasmania), southern New Guinea.
- Conservation status: Least Concern.
The wedge-tailed eagle is the largest bird of prey in Australia, recognized by its long, diamond-shaped tail and broad wings adapted for soaring. Adult females can reach up to 5.8 kilograms (12.8 pounds) in weight and 106 centimeters (3.5 feet) in length, with wingspans up to 2.32 meters (7.6 feet), though most individuals average closer to 2.1 meters (6.9 feet). The Tasmanian subspecies (Aquila audax fleayi) is the largest of all wedge-tailed eagles, with some females measuring up to 110 centimeters (3.6 feet) in length. The largest verified wingspan for any eagle belongs to a Tasmanian female of this subspecies, which measured an astonishing 2.84 meters (9.3 feet).
Once heavily persecuted, the species has shown remarkable resilience. Although now legally protected, wedge-tailed eagles still face threats from habitat loss, vehicle collisions, wind turbines, poisoning, and illegal shootings, especially in sheep-farming regions. The overall population is considered stable and possibly increasing, aided by abundant carrion and adaptable foraging habits. However, the Tasmanian subspecies remains endangered. These forest-dependent eagles are extremely sensitive to disturbance, and continued logging, lead contamination, and wind turbine collisions pose serious risks. Targeted conservation measures, such as protected nesting zones and seasonal logging restrictions, are in place, but much of the subspecies’ range lies outside formally protected areas.
White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)
- Wingspan: Up to 2.6 m (8.5 ft).
- Weight: Up to 8 kg (17.6 lbs).
- Where found: Northern and eastern Europe, Greenland, parts of Asia, and reintroduced across western Europe.
- Conservation status: Least Concern.
The white-tailed eagle is a broad-winged, heavyset sea eagle of northern latitudes, rivaling the Steller’s sea eagle in wingspan and bulk. Adults can reach up to 94 centimeters (3.1 feet) in body length, with females weighing as much as 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) in rare cases. While not the longest eagle, its wingspan, averaging between 2.3 and 2.45 meters (7.5-8 feet) and occasionally stretching to 2.6 meters (8.5 feet), makes it one of the widest-winged raptors alive. Its wedge-shaped tail, pale head, and massive yellow beak distinguish it from other large eagles, especially in silhouette. It typically patrols coastlines, estuaries, and inland lakes, where it feeds on fish, waterbirds, and carrion.
Once severely reduced by persecution, pesticide poisoning, and habitat destruction, the white-tailed eagle has become a conservation success story in much of Europe. Strong legal protections, habitat preservation, supplementary feeding, and reintroduction projects have helped the species rebound across Scandinavia, Germany, the UK, and Eastern Europe. Winter feeding stations in Sweden and Finland improved breeding success, while nest protections and forestry guidelines now limit disturbance around eyries. Notable reintroduction efforts in Scotland, Ireland, and the Netherlands have re-established breeding populations after more than a century of absence. Despite these gains, threats remain, especially illegal shootings, wind turbine collisions, and exposure to lead and environmental contaminants.
Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
- Wingspan: Up to 2.55 m (8.4 ft).
- Weight: Up to 7.7 kg (17 lbs).
- Where found: North America, Europe, North Africa, and Asia.
- Conservation status: Least Concern.
The golden eagle is one of the most widespread large eagles, found across much of the Northern Hemisphere. Adults can reach up to 102 centimeters (3.3 feet) in length, with wingspans of up to 2.55 meters (8.4 feet). Females are significantly larger than males and may weigh up to 7.7 kilograms (17 pounds) in the wild, though captive individuals can grow even heavier. Its large, broad wings and long tail allow for excellent control in soaring flight, while the golden-hued feathers on the nape give the species its name. Although slightly smaller than sea eagles in bulk, the golden eagle is long-bodied and powerful, well adapted for pursuing terrestrial prey in open landscapes.
Historically persecuted across much of its range, the golden eagle has made a recovery in many regions but still faces modern threats. In North America, electrocution from power lines and collisions with wind turbines are major causes of mortality, especially for sub-adults. Exposure to rodenticides and habitat loss due to afforestation, energy development, or changing grazing practices also affect local populations. In Europe, illegal poisoning and trapping persist in some areas, particularly near gamebird estates. While global numbers are stable, shifts in prey abundance, such as rabbit declines in the Mediterranean, and long-term environmental change continue to influence breeding success and survival across parts of its range.
Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
- Wingspan: Up to 2.44 m (8 ft).
- Weight: Up to 7 kg (15.4 lbs).
- Where found: North America (core population within the U.S. and Canada).
- Conservation status: Least Concern.
The bald eagle is North America’s largest true raptor and one of the continent’s most recognizable birds. Adults typically measure up to 102 centimeters (3.3 feet) in length, with a wingspan reaching 2.3 meters (7.5 feet) across most of their range. However, birds in Alaska are notably larger – females can exceed 7 kilograms (15.4 pounds) and reach a wingspan of 2.44 meters (8 feet). Despite being slightly smaller than the white-tailed eagle, the bald eagle shares similar proportions and occupies comparable ecological roles along coasts and large inland waters.
After suffering dramatic declines in the 20th century due to hunting, DDT poisoning, habitat loss, and secondary lead exposure, the bald eagle has made a remarkable recovery. Following the ban on DDT and intensive conservation efforts, populations rebounded across the United States and Canada, with a recorded 779% increase over 40 years. Today, it breeds across much of North America, from the lower 48 states to Canada and Alaska, and remains a powerful symbol of successful species recovery. However, localized threats such as lead contamination, habitat encroachment, and illegal shootings still persist in some areas.
Martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus)
- Wingspan: Up to 2.4 m (7.8 ft).
- Weight: Up to 6.5 kg (14.3 lbs).
- Where found: Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Conservation status: Endangered.
The martial eagle is Africa’s largest eagle. Females can weigh up to 6.5 kilograms (14.3 pounds) and reach a body length of 96 centimeters (3.1 feet), with wingspans reaching 2.4 meters (7.8 feet), though some reports suggest rare individuals may span as much as 2.6 meters (8.5 feet). Despite its size, it is built for agile soaring, with long, broad wings and short, feathered legs equipped with formidable talons. Its upperparts are dark brown, contrasting with a white belly covered in bold black spots, giving it a striking appearance both in flight and perched high in open woodlands or savannas.
Once widespread, the martial eagle has suffered a sharp population decline across much of its range. It is now listed as Endangered, with major losses driven by persecution, habitat degradation, and reduced prey availability. Farmers often shoot or poison martial eagles out of fear for livestock, despite studies showing that domestic animals make up a small portion of their diet. Immature birds, which are more likely to scavenge, are especially vulnerable to human conflict. Additional threats include collisions with power lines and drowning in man-made farm reservoirs. While some individuals have adapted to nesting on pylons, the species continues to vanish from unprotected areas. Long-term survival depends on greater education, farmer cooperation, and expansion of protected nesting and hunting habitats.
Harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja)
- Wingspan: Up to 2.24 m (7.35 ft).
- Weight: Up to 10 kg (22 lbs).
- Where found: Central and South American rainforests.
- Conservation status: Vulnerable.
The harpy eagle is the heaviest eagle in the Americas and one of the largest raptors globally by body mass. Adult females can weigh up to 9-10 kilograms (19.9-22 pounds), significantly more than males, and individuals raised in captivity may grow even heavier. It reaches a body length of up to 107 centimeters (3.5 feet). Though its wingspan is shorter than in some open-country eagles, typically up to 2.24 meters (7.35 feet) it is exceptionally broad and muscular, adapted for flying between trees in dense tropical forests. Its legs and talons are among the most powerful of any eagle, allowing it to prey on monkeys, sloths, and other sizeable arboreal mammals. Remarkably, it is capable of lifting prey equal to or even exceeding its own body weight, making it arguably the strongest eagle in terms of lifting power.
The harpy eagle has disappeared from much of its former range, especially in Central America and the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, primarily due to deforestation and persecution. It is often shot by hunters, captured for the illegal wildlife trade, or killed out of fear or curiosity. Logging poses a particular threat by removing the large emergent trees the eagle depends on for nesting. Conservation efforts include reintroduction programs, habitat protection, and education campaigns in countries such as Brazil, Panama, and Colombia. Despite its presence in several protected areas, the species remains vulnerable to forest fragmentation and human encroachment, and its continued survival depends on preserving extensive tracts of mature rainforest.
Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi)
- Wingspan: Up to 2.2 m (7.2 ft).
- Weight: Up to 8.0 kg (17.6 lbs).
- Where found: Philippines (Mindanao, Luzon, Samar, Leyte).
- Conservation status: Critically Endangered.
The Philippine eagle is both one of the largest and most endangered eagles globally. Adults measure up to 105 centimeters (3.4 feet) in the wild, with some captive individuals reaching 112 centimeters (3.7 feet). While its wingspan tops out at about 2.2 meters (7.2 feet), it is proportionally shorter than other large eagles, an adaptation to maneuvering through dense forest canopies. Females are larger than males, weighing up to 8.0 kilograms (17.6 pounds). It is distinguished by a shaggy crest of brown feathers, a deep bluish-gray beak, piercing blue-gray eyes, and heavily scaled yellow legs with immense talons. Its intense gaze and mane-like crown give it a striking, almost mythical presence in the forests it dominates.
As the apex predator of the Philippine lowland and montane forests, this eagle preys on a wide range of animals, from flying lemurs and macaques to large birds and reptiles. But despite its strength, the species is critically endangered. Fewer than 800 mature individuals remain, most confined to fragmented forests on Mindanao. Habitat loss from logging, mining, and agriculture has decimated its range, while hunting and electrocution from power lines continue to cause preventable deaths. Captive breeding and reintroduction efforts have had mixed success, but recent releases and satellite tracking projects are helping inform conservation strategy. Without continued large-scale protection and public support, this national bird of the Philippines faces an uncertain future.
Largest eagle that ever lived
While the eagles listed above are the biggest, heaviest, and most powerful still found in the wild, the largest eagle in history no longer soars the skies. That title goes to the Haast’s eagle (Hieraaetus moorei), which lived in New Zealand and went extinct roughly 600 years ago. Estimated to weigh up to 18 kilograms (40 pounds) with a wingspan approaching 3 meters (9.8 feet), it preyed primarily on the now-extinct moa – giant flightless birds many times its own weight. With talons as large as a tiger’s claws and enough force to kill prey many times heavier than itself, Haast’s eagle was a true apex predator. Though gone, it remains a striking reminder of what nature is capable of, and a fitting coda to the largest eagles still alive today.
Further reading