Start << Back Next >> Releasing A Powerful Bird Imagine holding on to 14 lbs of taut, steel-strong muscle. Eagle biologists must be alert.They must keep a tight hold on the eagle. The eagle's legs contain about 35 different muscles. Imagine facing the sharp beak and strong claws. They can cause a lot of injury. See how Eagle-eye directs the bird straight ahead toward the river as he releases her? How would it feel to be released after capture?