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Eagle vs. Kite: What's the Difference?

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.
Harlon Moss
Oct 07, 2023

Comparison Chart

Type

Bird of prey
Bird of prey or tethered flying object
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Oct 07, 2023
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Build

Robust and powerful
Slender (bird)
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Symbolism

Strength, freedom, majesty
Joy, freedom (flying object)
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Diet

Wide range including larger prey
Generally smaller prey
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Cultural Significance

National symbols, revered in many cultures
Celebrated in kite-flying festivals
Sara Rehman
Oct 07, 2023

Eagle and Kite Definitions

Eagle

A symbol of freedom and power.
The national emblem features an eagle.
Janet White
Oct 07, 2023
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Kite

A medium-sized raptor known for graceful flight.
The kite hovered in the sky before diving for its prey.
Sara Rehman
Oct 07, 2023

Eagle

A representation of majesty in various cultures.
The tribal chief wore an eagle feather headdress.
Harlon Moss
Oct 07, 2023

Kite

A symbol of joy and freedom in many cultures.
The kite festival is an annual event in the city.
Sara Rehman
Oct 07, 2023

Eagle

A term used in golf to indicate two under par on a hole.
He scored an eagle on the 5th hole.
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Oct 07, 2023

Kite

A bird often seen gliding in open skies.
A kite cast a shadow as it glided overhead.
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Oct 07, 2023
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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.
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Apr 28, 2023

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.
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Apr 28, 2023

Eagle

A representation of an eagle used as an emblem or insignia.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

A parafoil flown in a similar manner for recreation.
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Apr 28, 2023

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.
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Kite

A power kite.
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Apr 28, 2023

Eagle

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

A quadrilateral with two distinct pairs of congruent, adjacent sides. Also called deltoid.
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Eagle

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

Any of the light sails of a ship that are used only in a light wind.
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Eagle

To score an eagle in golf.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

Any of various graceful predatory birds of the family Accipitridae, having long pointed wings and often a forked tail.
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Apr 28, 2023

Eagle

Any of several large carnivorous and carrion-eating birds in the family Accipitridae, having a powerful hooked bill and keen vision.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

An instance of check kiting.
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Apr 28, 2023

Eagle

A gold coin with a face value of ten dollars, formerly used in the United States.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

To fly like a kite; soar or glide.
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Apr 28, 2023

Eagle

A 13th-century coin minted in Europe and circulated in England as a debased sterling silver penny, outlawed under Edward I of England.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

To get money or credit with a kite.
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Apr 28, 2023

Eagle

(golf) A score of two under par for a hole.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

To use (a check) in furtherance of a check kiting scheme.
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Eagle

(golf) To score an eagle.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

A bird of prey of the family Accipitridae.
A pair of kites built a nest on the cliff.
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Apr 28, 2023

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.
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Apr 28, 2023

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).
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Apr 28, 2023

Eagle

A gold coin of the United States, of the value of ten dollars.
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Apr 28, 2023

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.
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Apr 28, 2023

Eagle

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

Some species in the subfamily Perninae.
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Apr 28, 2023

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.
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Kite

(figuratively) A rapacious person.
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Eagle

Any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight
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Apr 28, 2023

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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023

Eagle

(golf) a score of two strokes under par on a hole
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Apr 28, 2023

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.
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Eagle

A former gold coin in the United States worth 10 dollars
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

(astrology) A planetary configuration wherein one planet of a grand trine is in opposition to an additional fourth planet.
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Apr 28, 2023

Eagle

An emblem representing power;
The Roman eagle
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Apr 28, 2023

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.
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Apr 28, 2023

Eagle

Shoot in two strokes under par
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

An favour]] and without compensation.
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Apr 28, 2023

Eagle

A large bird of prey known for its strength.
The eagle soared majestically above the mountains.
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Oct 07, 2023

Kite

A rider who is good at climbs but less good at descents.
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Apr 28, 2023

Eagle

A bird with exceptional eyesight.
The eagle spotted its prey from a great distance.
Janet White
Oct 07, 2023

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.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

An aeroplane or aircraft.
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Apr 28, 2023

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.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

A supplementary sail to a mainsail.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

The brill (Scophthalmus rhombus), a type of flatfish.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

A (usually concealed) letter or oral message, especially one passed illegally into, within, or out of a prison.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

The stomach; the belly.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

(Egyptology) A measure of weight equivalent to 10 deben (about 0.32 ounces or 9.1 grams).
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Apr 28, 2023

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.
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Apr 28, 2023

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.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

To keep ahead of (an enemy) in order to attack repeatedly from a distance, without exposing oneself to danger.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

(ambitransitive) To (cause to) glide in the manner of a bird.
The wind kited us toward shore.
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Apr 28, 2023

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?
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Apr 28, 2023

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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023

Kite

To steal.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

(intransitive) To travel by kite, as when kitesurfing.
We spent the afternoon kiting around the bay.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

To move rapidly; to rush.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

To deflect sideways in the water.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

To pass a (usually concealed) letter or oral message, especially illegally into, within, or out of a prison.
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Apr 28, 2023

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.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

Fig.: One who is rapacious.
Detested kite, thou liest.
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Apr 28, 2023

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.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

A lofty sail, carried only when the wind is light.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

A quadrilateral, one of whose diagonals is an axis of symmetry.
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Apr 28, 2023

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.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

The brill.
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Apr 28, 2023

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.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

The belly.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

To raise money by "kites;" as, kiting transactions. See Kite, 6.
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

A bank check that has been fraudulently altered to increase its face value
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

A bank check drawn on insufficient funds at another bank in order to take advantage of the float
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

Plaything consisting of a light frame covered with tissue paper; flown in wind at end of a string
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

Any of several small graceful hawks of the family Accipitridae having long pointed wings and feeding on insects and small animals
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

Increase the amount (of a check) fraudulently;
He kited many checks
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

Get credit or money by using a bad check;
The businessman kited millions of dollars
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

Soar or fly like a kite;
The pilot kited for a long time over the mountains
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Kite

Fly a kite;
Kids were kiting in the park
They kited the Red Dragon model
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Apr 28, 2023

Kite

A tethered flying object made of paper or fabric.
Children were flying kites in the park.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 07, 2023

Kite

A term used in finance for a fraudulent check.
The accountant was caught kiting checks.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

FAQs

Do eagles have better eyesight than kites?

Both have sharp eyesight, but eagles are especially known for spotting prey from great distances.
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Oct 07, 2023

Is the eagle a symbol for any countries?

Yes, the eagle is a national symbol for countries like the United States and Mexico.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

What type of bird is an eagle?

An eagle is a large bird of prey known for its strength and sharp eyesight.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Are kites easy to fly?

While flying a kite can be straightforward, it depends on wind conditions and the kite's design.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 07, 2023

Can eagles carry heavy prey?

Yes, some eagles can carry prey weighing close to their body weight.
Harlon Moss
Oct 07, 2023

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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Are kites bigger than eagles?

No, kites are generally smaller and more slender compared to the robust build of eagles.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Are there different species of eagles?

Yes, there are various species, including bald eagles, golden eagles, and harpy eagles.
Harlon Moss
Oct 07, 2023

What do kites, as birds, eat?

Kites typically eat smaller prey like insects, rodents, and occasionally small birds.
Janet White
Oct 07, 2023

Is kite flying an ancient tradition?

Yes, kite flying dates back thousands of years and originated in Asia.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Why are eagles revered in many cultures?

Due to their strength, majesty, and often association with deities or royalty.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

How long can eagles live?

In the wild, they can live up to 20-30 years, and in captivity, even longer.
Sara Rehman
Oct 07, 2023

Are kites known for any unique flying behavior?

Yes, they're known for their ability to hover in the sky while searching for prey.
Harlon Moss
Oct 07, 2023

Do kites have sharp eyesight like eagles?

Yes, kites also have sharp eyesight, crucial for spotting prey.
Janet White
Oct 07, 2023

How powerful are eagle talons?

Extremely powerful; they use them to grasp and carry off their prey.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023

Do kites have a significant cultural role in any festivals?

Yes, kites as flying objects are celebrated in various kite-flying festivals globally.
Harlon Moss
Oct 07, 2023

Are kite festivals popular worldwide?

Yes, many countries have kite festivals celebrating the joy of kite flying.
Janet White
Oct 07, 2023

Are eagles found worldwide?

Yes, eagles are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Harlon Moss
Oct 07, 2023

What's the primary diet of an eagle?

It varies by species but can include fish, birds, rodents, and other animals.
Sara Rehman
Oct 07, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma Saeed
Huma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.

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