Although birds are recognised for their elegance and beauty, some of them are also extraordinarily strong, ruling the skies with their prowess as hunters.
We examine eight of the world's strongest birds here.
One of the world's most formidable predatory birds is the harpy eagle. It has enormous talons that are stronger than a grizzly bear's claws and are capable of great force.
The Bald Eagle is renowned for its remarkable strength and hunting prowess. This eagle is mostly a fish-eater, but it can also carry prey up to half its own body weight.
The Steller's Sea Eagle is the largest eagle and a real powerhouse. It is native to coastal areas of eastern Russia and Japan. Its wingspan is almost eight feet, and it can weigh up to twenty pounds.
With a wingspan of 7.5 feet and a weight of 6 to 15 pounds, the Golden Eagle is well-known for its capacity to take down prey that is several times larger than it is.
One of the most powerful and hostile raptors is the Great Horned Owl. This owl, which may weigh three to five pounds and have a wingspan of up to five feet, is widespread throughout the Americas.
The largest species of falcon in the Arctic, the gyrfalcon is also one of the most formidable hunters. With a wingspan of up to 4.5 feet and a maximum weight of 3 pounds, this bird is designed for both speed and endurance.
The Eurasian Eagle-Owl, the most powerful owl in the world, can reach a maximum wingspan of 6.5 feet and weighs between 6 and 10 pounds.
The largest and strongest eagle in Africa is the Martial Eagle. This eagle feeds on huge game, such as juvenile antelopes, impalas, and monkeys.