The scoop on eagles

[Himilsillion]

What are the things that the Nazgul fly? I have looked in the text the only thing that I have found that refers to their name is Flying steed. They are not dragons because they would be pretty much extinct by the time of the War of the Ring. Are these "flying steeds" eagles in the service of Sauron?

[The 1,000 Reader]

We just call the so-called Nazgul birds "Fell Beasts." I hope this clears things up.

[Voralphion]

Or probably not, because when speaking about the mightiest of maiar, Thorondor is never mentioned. So probably he is not a maia.

Just because he is not mentioned as a maia, does not rule out that he was one as only a few maia were ever mentioned by name. In the Valaquenta when discussing the creation of dwarves, it describes Yavanna going to Eru for something to protect the kelvar, and the ents were the result. I think it also mentions spirits being also sent to protect or watch over the olvar, ( I have lost my copy of the Sil and so cannot provide a direct quote), it is possible that these were the eagles, at least some of them.

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by Voralphion

Just because he is not mentioned as a maia, does not rule out that he was one as only a few maia were ever mentioned by name. In the Valaquenta when discussing the creation of dwarves, it describes Yavanna going to Eru for something to protect the kelvar, and the ents were the result. I think it also mentions spirits being also sent to protect or watch over the olvar, ( I have lost my copy of the Sil and so cannot provide a direct quote), it is possible that these were the eagles, at least some of them.

1) I think Yavanna asks for someone to protect the kelvar, because the olvar can fight back and run away, but the kelvar can't.
2) And even if she had asked, that doesn't make the eagles maiar. The ents aren't maiar either.

[Voralphion]

1) I think Yavanna asks for someone to protect the kelvar, because the olvar can fight back and run away, but the kelvar can't

It does but spirits were sent into both

When the Children awake, then the thought of Yavanna will awake also, and it will summon spirits from afar, and they will go among the kelvar and olvar, and some will dwell within and be held in reverence, and their just anger will be feared.

The spirits dwelling in the kelvar becamr the ents, while some of those dwelling in the olvar were the eagles,

... and before the Children awake there shall go forth with wings like the wind the Eagles of the Lord of the West

.

2) And even if she had asked, that doesn't make the eagles maiar. The ents aren't maiar either

I never meant to imply that the eagles were maiar, I don't believe that they are, but was simply trying to correct the assertion that they can't be maia soley because their names aren't mentioned among the few maia that are named.

[Roa_Aoife]

Now, I don't have the Sil on hand, but I'm fairly certain that Ungoliath is mentioned as a Maia that turned to darkness, and then became the mother of all spiders. (Nasty creatures *shudder*) Obviously, spiders are not Maiar, and I don't think Shelob was one, either. It stands to reason that Thorondir was a Maia and fathered the eagles, who were not themselves Maiar, and the same way that Ungoliath mothered spiders.

[Fallenstar]

If the Eagles are not maiar, they are some sort of spirits, perhaps like Ents.

Here is the quote from Quenta Simarillion Chapter one: Of the Beginning of the Days

Spirits in shape of hawks and eagles flew ever to and from his[Manwe's] halls