J.R.R TOLKIEN'S LEGENDARIUM

The Great Eagles are said in The Silmarillion to have been "devised" by Manwë Súlimo, leader of the Valar, and were often called the Eagles of Manwë. Though they look like the are bird-shaped Maiar, Tolkien decided that the Great Eagles were common animals that had been "taught language by the Valar, and raised to a higher level" but they still had no fëar(soul).

 

In the First Age they were sent from Valinor to Middle-earth to keep an eye on the exiled Ñoldor, and also on their foe the evil Vala Morgoth.

 

In the Second Age, a pair of Eagles had an eyrie in the King's House in Armenelos the capital of Númenor until the Kings became hostile to the Valar. The Eagles also watched the peak of Mount Meneltarma, and three Eagles would always appear when someone climbed to the summit.Towards the end of Númenor, the Valar sent storm clouds in the shape of Great Eagles in an attempt to warn them of their folly and impending doom.

 

In the Third Age, Thorondor's descendants Gwaihir and Landrovallived in an eyrie to the east of the Misty Mountains in Wilderland.