Page 92 - Magnificence Everywhere

A PERFECT HUNTING BIRD: THE EAGLE
When we examine birds, we see that all the features of their bodies have been de-
signed especially for flying. For example, the body structure of eagles, which are
known as one of the birds with the best capabilities for movement, is perfect in
every way. The eagle needs to be both light enough to be able to take off from any-
where easily and strong enough to carry its prey after catching it. A bald eagle has
more than 7,000 feathers. However, when you put all these feathers together, they
weigh only approximately 500 gr. (18 ounces). In addition, in order to provide a
lighter body weight, the insides of the bones are hollow. In many parts of these
bones there is nothing but air. The total weight of a bald eagle tips just over 272 gr.
(9.5 ounces). In short, the body weight of the eagle is ideal for flying.
An eagle derives the force it needs for flying from the downward flapping
movements of its wings. For this reason, the number of its muscles that push the
wings downwards is greater than the number of the muscles that push them up-
wards. Flight muscles are very important for an eagle.
These muscles generally weigh half of the bird's total body weight. The eagle can
fly faster or slower by changing the position of its wings. When the eagle wants to
fly faster, it turns the front sides of the wings inwards towards the wind and thus
slices through the air. When it wants to go slower, it turns the wide sides of its
wings against the wind.
All the eagles have an extra eyelid called a "nictitating membrane." The function
of this special lid is to clean and protect the eyes of the birds. For example, eagles
usually pull the membranes over their eyes when feeding their chicks. It is a pre-
caution to protect the eyes of the parents from any harm that these chicks might ac-
cidentally inflict as they lunge for food. 31
The design of the eagle concerns not only a flawless flight technique, but also a
special design in its feathers for landing. As the eagle starts to go down, it decreases
its speed by pulling its tail down at an angle to its body. It lowers the edges of its
wings so as to use them as brakes. But, as the eagle loses speed, turbulence formed
on the upper surface of the wings increases its danger of stalling. The eagle counters
Magnificence Everywhere smooth flow, and enable the bird to easily complete its flight. 32
this danger by raising the tufts of three or four feathers that are found on the edge of
its wings. These let in a stream of air across the wing surface, which maintains a

There is an evident fact in the examples given so far. Even a mere couple of de-
tails in the design of an eagle's body are so perfect that they couldn't have come into
existence by chance. This clearly proves to us that eagles also, like all other birds

90 and creatures, have been created by Allah, the All-Powerful.