Eagles sacred

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To Indian people, the Eagle is the messenger of the Creator, said Alvin Manitopyes.

"The eagle symbolizes the love the Creator has for the Indian people of North America.....the eagle is the most spiritually evolved of all animals and birds. It is the messenger between the Indian people and the Creator. It is a very sacred bird," said Manitopyes.

"(Eagles) have a lot of courage. That is why it is such an honor to

earn an eagle feather."

Finding an eagle feather is a gift or blessing, explained Manitopyes, and an affirmation of one's own spiritual experience. "We have stories of people looking at eagles and a feather has fallen down at that moment for them."

On Eagles's Wings:

Traveling at 120 km per hour on the highway is speeding for mortals, but for migrating eagles, 120 kilometers per hour is cruising speed -- going fast is 170 kilometers.

The secret of eagles' speed and ease of flying -- they hardly flap their wings -- is knowing how to ride the mountain wind currents or thermals.

By spiraling high into the sky then power-gliding on thermals, eagles can travel almost effortlessly up and down the North American continent each year.

Cruising altitude for migrating eagles is up to one kilometer above the

ground.

Eagle Facts Eagles live on very continent except Antarctica. Scientists estimate there are about 60 species of eagle around the world, divided into four types: fish and sea eagles (including Bald Eagle), booted eagles (Golden Eagle), harpy eagles, and snake or serpent eagles.

The Bald Eagle

The Bald Eagle is a fish eagle that lives along seacoasts, lakes and rivers from Alaska to Mexico. It weighs from three to seven kg, measures 74 to 91 cm long and has a wingspan of two metres of more.

The Golden Eagle Classified as a booted eagle because of its feathers cover all of its legs, the Golden Eagle is the most numerous large eagle. It lives in wooded and barren mountains throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and

northern Africa. The Golden Eagle weighs between three to six kg and measures 74 to 91 cm long.