Vulture vs. Eagle — What's the Difference?

Recognizable by its bald head and often large wingspan.

A large bird of prey with keen eyesight and powerful flying abilities.

A bird of prey feeding chiefly on carrion.

Represents freedom and strength in many cultures.

Often seen in groups, especially around a food source.

Often nests in high places like cliffs or treetops.

Plays a vital role in ecosystems by cleaning up dead animals.

Equipped with sharp talons and a strong beak for hunting.

Possesses strong stomach acids to digest carrion and prevent infections.

Has various species distributed globally.

A vulture is a bird of prey that scavenges on carrion. There are 23 extant species of vulture (including Condors).

Eagle is the common name for many large birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, some of which are closely related.

Any of various large birds of prey characteristically having dark plumage and a featherless head and neck and generally feeding on carrion. Species found in the Americas are in the family Cathartidae, and those found in Eurasia and Africa are in the family Accipitridae.

Any of various large diurnal birds of prey of the family Accipitridae, including members of the genera Aquila and Haliaeetus, characterized by broad wings, a hooked bill, keen vision, and soaring flight.

A person of a rapacious, predatory, or profiteering nature.

A representation of an eagle used as an emblem or insignia.

Any of several carrion-eating birds of the families Accipitridae and Cathartidae.

A gold coin formerly used in the United States, stamped with an eagle on the reverse side and having a face value of ten dollars.

A person who profits from the suffering of others.

(Sports) A golf score of two strokes under par on a hole.

To circle around one's target as if one were a vulture.

To shoot (a hole in golf) in two strokes under par.

(obsolete) ravenous; rapacious

To score an eagle in golf.

Any one of numerous species of rapacious birds belonging to Vultur, Cathartes, Catharista, and various other genera of the family Vulturidæ.

Any of several large carnivorous and carrion-eating birds in the family Accipitridae, having a powerful hooked bill and keen vision.

Any of various large diurnal birds of prey having naked heads and weak claws and feeding chiefly on carrion

A gold coin with a face value of ten dollars, formerly used in the United States.

Someone who attacks in search of booty

A 13th-century coin minted in Europe and circulated in England as a debased sterling silver penny, outlawed under Edward I of England.

(golf) A score of two under par for a hole.

(golf) To score an eagle.

Any large, rapacious bird of the Falcon family, esp. of the genera Aquila and Haliæetus. The eagle is remarkable for strength, size, graceful figure, keenness of vision, and extraordinary flight. The most noted species are the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaëtus); the imperial eagle of Europe (Aquila mogilnik or Aquila imperialis); the American bald eagle (Haliæetus leucocephalus); the European sea eagle (Haliæetus albicilla); and the great harpy eagle (Thrasaetus harpyia). The figure of the eagle, as the king of birds, is commonly used as an heraldic emblem, and also for standards and emblematic devices. See Bald eagle, Harpy, and Golden eagle.

A gold coin of the United States, of the value of ten dollars.

A northern constellation, containing Altair, a star of the first magnitude. See Aquila.

The figure of an eagle borne as an emblem on the standard of the ancient Romans, or so used upon the seal or standard of any people.

Any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight

(golf) a score of two strokes under par on a hole

A former gold coin in the United States worth 10 dollars

An emblem representing power;

Shoot in two strokes under par

Vultures are scavengers, feeding mainly on dead animals or carrion.

Eagles are hunters, preying mainly on live animals.

The eagle, especially the bald eagle in the U.S.

Both have keen eyesight, but eagles are especially renowned for it.

A bald head helps vultures stay clean while feeding on carcasses.

Eagles use their sharp talons and beak to snatch and consume prey.

It depends on the species, but both can be quite large with expansive wingspans.

Both can be seen soaring, but vultures often circle high, especially when locating carrion.

No, vultures are absent in Antarctica and Oceania.

While primarily scavengers, some vultures can catch live prey if needed.

Yes, eagles are symbols of power, freedom, and nobility in many cultures.

It varies by species, but some vultures have particularly broad wingspans for soaring.

Yes, both have specific breeding seasons depending on their habitats and species.

Some species of vultures are threatened or endangered due to various factors.

Vultures clean up dead animals, preventing the spread of diseases.