Eagle vs. Kite: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 7, 2023
An eagle is a large bird of prey with a powerful build, while a kite is a raptor known for its graceful flight or a tethered flying object.
Key Differences
Eagle and kite, both terms within the realm of avian species, represent different birds with their unique characteristics. The eagle is universally recognized as a large bird of prey, boasting a robust build and is often associated with strength and majesty. Known for their sharp eyesight, eagles have an imposing presence and are usually at the top of their food chain in their respective habitats.
In contrast, the kite, when referring to a bird, indicates a group of medium-sized raptors known for their graceful flight. Unlike the solid, muscular build of eagles, kites generally possess a more slender form. Their dietary habits and hunting techniques differ from those of eagles. Kites often glide in the sky searching for smaller prey and are especially known for their ability to hover.
Additionally, the term "kite" carries another meaning altogether, that of a tethered object made of lightweight material, flown in the wind for recreation or other purposes. This object, often made of paper or fabric, is a popular plaything, especially in open spaces.
On the symbolism front, eagles hold significant importance in many cultures, representing freedom, power, or even divine connection. They are also national symbols for various countries, reflecting might and freedom. Kites, as birds, might not hold the same weight in symbolism as eagles but as flying objects, have been celebrated in numerous festivals worldwide, representing joy, freedom, and the celebration of nature.
Comparison Chart
Type
Bird of prey
Bird of prey or tethered flying object
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Build
Robust and powerful
Slender (bird)
Symbolism
Strength, freedom, majesty
Joy, freedom (flying object)
Diet
Wide range including larger prey
Generally smaller prey
Cultural Significance
National symbols, revered in many cultures
Celebrated in kite-flying festivals
Eagle and Kite Definitions
Eagle
A symbol of freedom and power.
The national emblem features an eagle.
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Kite
A medium-sized raptor known for graceful flight.
The kite hovered in the sky before diving for its prey.
Eagle
A representation of majesty in various cultures.
The tribal chief wore an eagle feather headdress.
Kite
A symbol of joy and freedom in many cultures.
The kite festival is an annual event in the city.
Eagle
A term used in golf to indicate two under par on a hole.
He scored an eagle on the 5th hole.
Kite
A bird often seen gliding in open skies.
A kite cast a shadow as it glided overhead.
Eagle
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.
Kite
A light framework covered with cloth, plastic, or paper, designed to be flown in the wind at the end of a long string or multiple lines, especially for recreation.
Eagle
A representation of an eagle used as an emblem or insignia.
Kite
A parafoil flown in a similar manner for recreation.
Eagle
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.
Kite
A power kite.
Eagle
(Sports) A golf score of two strokes under par on a hole.
Kite
A quadrilateral with two distinct pairs of congruent, adjacent sides. Also called deltoid.
Eagle
To shoot (a hole in golf) in two strokes under par.
Kite
Any of the light sails of a ship that are used only in a light wind.
Eagle
To score an eagle in golf.
Kite
Any of various graceful predatory birds of the family Accipitridae, having long pointed wings and often a forked tail.
Eagle
Any of several large carnivorous and carrion-eating birds in the family Accipitridae, having a powerful hooked bill and keen vision.
Kite
An instance of check kiting.
Eagle
A gold coin with a face value of ten dollars, formerly used in the United States.
Kite
To fly like a kite; soar or glide.
Eagle
A 13th-century coin minted in Europe and circulated in England as a debased sterling silver penny, outlawed under Edward I of England.
Kite
To get money or credit with a kite.
Eagle
(golf) A score of two under par for a hole.
Kite
To use (a check) in furtherance of a check kiting scheme.
Eagle
(golf) To score an eagle.
Kite
A bird of prey of the family Accipitridae.
A pair of kites built a nest on the cliff.
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.
Kite
Any bird of the subfamily Milvinae, with long wings and weak legs, feeding mostly on carrion and spending long periods soaring; specifically, the red kite (Milvus milvus) and the black kite (Milvus migrans).
Eagle
A gold coin of the United States, of the value of ten dollars.
Kite
A bird of the genus Elanus, having thin pointed wings, that preys on rodents and hunts by hovering; also, any bird of related genera in the subfamily Elaninae.
Eagle
A northern constellation, containing Altair, a star of the first magnitude. See Aquila.
Kite
Some species in the subfamily Perninae.
Eagle
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.
Though the Roman eagle shadow thee.
Kite
(figuratively) A rapacious person.
Eagle
Any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight
Kite
A lightweight toy or other device, traditionally flat and shaped like a triangle with a segment of a circle attached to its base or like a quadrilateral (see sense 9), carried on the wind and tethered and controlled from the ground by one or more lines.
On windy spring days, we would fly kites.
Eagle
(golf) a score of two strokes under par on a hole
Kite
A tethered object which deflects its position in a medium by obtaining lift and drag in reaction with its relative motion in the medium.
Eagle
A former gold coin in the United States worth 10 dollars
Kite
(astrology) A planetary configuration wherein one planet of a grand trine is in opposition to an additional fourth planet.
Eagle
An emblem representing power;
The Roman eagle
Kite
A blank cheque; a fraudulent cheque, such as one issued even though there are insufficient funds to honour it, or one that has been altered without authorization.
Eagle
Shoot in two strokes under par
Kite
An favour]] and without compensation.
Eagle
A large bird of prey known for its strength.
The eagle soared majestically above the mountains.
Kite
A rider who is good at climbs but less good at descents.
Eagle
A bird with exceptional eyesight.
The eagle spotted its prey from a great distance.
Kite
(geometry) A polygon resembling the shape of a traditional toy kite (sense 3): a quadrilateral having two pairs of edges of equal length, the edges of each pair touching each other at one end.
Four-sided figures without parallel sides include trapezoids and kites.
Kite
An aeroplane or aircraft.
Kite
In a square-rigged ship: originally a sail positioned above a topsail; later a lightweight sail set above the topgallants, such as a studding sail or a jib topsail.
Kite
A supplementary sail to a mainsail.
Kite
The brill (Scophthalmus rhombus), a type of flatfish.
Kite
A (usually concealed) letter or oral message, especially one passed illegally into, within, or out of a prison.
Kite
The stomach; the belly.
Kite
(Egyptology) A measure of weight equivalent to 10 deben (about 0.32 ounces or 9.1 grams).
Kite
(transitive) To cause (something) to move upwards rapidly like a toy kite; also to cause (something, such as costs) to increase rapidly.
Rising interest rates have kited the cost of housing.
Kite
To tamper with a document or record by increasing the quantity of something beyond its proper amount so that the difference may be unlawfully retained; in particular, to alter a medical prescription for this purpose by increasing the number of pills or other items.
Kite
To keep ahead of (an enemy) in order to attack repeatedly from a distance, without exposing oneself to danger.
Kite
(ambitransitive) To (cause to) glide in the manner of a bird.
The wind kited us toward shore.
Kite
To manipulate like a toy kite; also, usually preceded by an inflection of go: to fly a toy kite.
Want to go kite with me this weekend?
Kite
To write or present (a cheque) on an account with insufficient funds, either to defraud or expecting that funds will become available by the time the cheque clears.
He was convicted of kiting checks and sentenced to two years in prison.
Kite
To steal.
Kite
(intransitive) To travel by kite, as when kitesurfing.
We spent the afternoon kiting around the bay.
Kite
To move rapidly; to rush.
Kite
To deflect sideways in the water.
Kite
To pass a (usually concealed) letter or oral message, especially illegally into, within, or out of a prison.
Kite
Any raptorial bird of the subfamily Milvinæ, of which many species are known. They have long wings, adapted for soaring, and usually a forked tail.
Kite
Fig.: One who is rapacious.
Detested kite, thou liest.
Kite
A light frame of wood or other material covered with paper or cloth, for flying in the air at the end of a string.
Kite
A lofty sail, carried only when the wind is light.
Kite
A quadrilateral, one of whose diagonals is an axis of symmetry.
Kite
Fictitious commercial paper used for raising money or to sustain credit, as a check which represents no deposit in bank, or a bill of exchange not sanctioned by sale of goods; an accommodation check or bill.
Kite
The brill.
Kite
A form of drag to be towed under water at any depth up to about forty fathoms, which on striking bottom is upset and rises to the surface; - called also sentry.
Kite
The belly.
Kite
To raise money by "kites;" as, kiting transactions. See Kite, 6.
Kite
A bank check that has been fraudulently altered to increase its face value
Kite
A bank check drawn on insufficient funds at another bank in order to take advantage of the float
Kite
Plaything consisting of a light frame covered with tissue paper; flown in wind at end of a string
Kite
Any of several small graceful hawks of the family Accipitridae having long pointed wings and feeding on insects and small animals
Kite
Increase the amount (of a check) fraudulently;
He kited many checks
Kite
Get credit or money by using a bad check;
The businessman kited millions of dollars
Kite
Soar or fly like a kite;
The pilot kited for a long time over the mountains
Kite
Fly a kite;
Kids were kiting in the park
They kited the Red Dragon model
Kite
A tethered flying object made of paper or fabric.
Children were flying kites in the park.
Kite
A term used in finance for a fraudulent check.
The accountant was caught kiting checks.
FAQs
Do eagles have better eyesight than kites?
Both have sharp eyesight, but eagles are especially known for spotting prey from great distances.
Is the eagle a symbol for any countries?
Yes, the eagle is a national symbol for countries like the United States and Mexico.
What type of bird is an eagle?
An eagle is a large bird of prey known for its strength and sharp eyesight.
Are kites easy to fly?
While flying a kite can be straightforward, it depends on wind conditions and the kite's design.
Can eagles carry heavy prey?
Yes, some eagles can carry prey weighing close to their body weight.
Can "kite" refer to both a bird and a flying object?
Yes, a kite can be a medium-sized raptor or a tethered flying object.
Are kites bigger than eagles?
No, kites are generally smaller and more slender compared to the robust build of eagles.
Are there different species of eagles?
Yes, there are various species, including bald eagles, golden eagles, and harpy eagles.
What do kites, as birds, eat?
Kites typically eat smaller prey like insects, rodents, and occasionally small birds.
Is kite flying an ancient tradition?
Yes, kite flying dates back thousands of years and originated in Asia.
How do you differentiate between the bird kite and the flying object?
Context usually helps, but the bird is a living raptor, while the object is made of paper or fabric.
Why are eagles revered in many cultures?
Due to their strength, majesty, and often association with deities or royalty.
How long can eagles live?
In the wild, they can live up to 20-30 years, and in captivity, even longer.
Are kites known for any unique flying behavior?
Yes, they're known for their ability to hover in the sky while searching for prey.
Do kites have sharp eyesight like eagles?
Yes, kites also have sharp eyesight, crucial for spotting prey.
How powerful are eagle talons?
Extremely powerful; they use them to grasp and carry off their prey.
Do kites have a significant cultural role in any festivals?
Yes, kites as flying objects are celebrated in various kite-flying festivals globally.
Are kite festivals popular worldwide?
Yes, many countries have kite festivals celebrating the joy of kite flying.
Are eagles found worldwide?
Yes, eagles are found on every continent except Antarctica.
What's the primary diet of an eagle?
It varies by species but can include fish, birds, rodents, and other animals.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
