Eagles

Eagles are almost exactly the same in the Lord of the Rings as in real life. The only thing different is that there bigger and can talk. They are very smart and can live as long as elves. Some eagles are Gwaihir, Thorondor, and Landroval, who are descendants of Thorondor, and also Meneldor. Gwaihir is the lord of all the eagles. Eagles play a part in the __Hobbit__ and other J.R.R. Tolkien books. In the First Age, Thorondor helps Fingon rescue Maedhros and would wound Morgoth and take Fingolfin's corpse to Fingon, Fingolfin's son. The eagles fought on the army of the Valar's and elves' side in the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age. In the Third Age Gwaihir helped Gandalf escape twice, once from Isengard and once after his battle with the balrog. Also other eagles rescued Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee from Mt. Doom after the One Ring was destroyed. They also rescued Thorin Oakenshield and others from orcs, wargs, and goblins and fought in the Battle of the Five Armies. These great birds are truly the reason the party survived the journey to Smaug's deloslation and back to safety.

Source: "Animals" http://www.tuckborough.net/animals.html#Eagles