[Gothmog]

I agree with you Raynor. But the phrase "spirits from afar" (see quote in my previous post) may give a hint of their origin. Would Manwe (or Tolkien) choose those words if the spirits were of Arda? I think not. It sounds as if they're from beyond Arda. Maybe Maiar that remained with Eru when the Valar and other Ainur of Arda descended, but came later to inhibit Eagles and Ents? And they came upon the summoning in Kementari's awakened thought.

If Thorondor/Sorontar was a maia, Gwaihir and Landroval (as his descendants) must have some maia blood. But still they wouldn't be more divine than for example Luthien.

So where does this get us? As for eagles- the first ones was maiar or at least some sort of spirits in eagle body. But those active during the end of the third age was animals, even if they may have contained blood of Ainur and to be considered one step above ordinary beasts.

As for Ents, well this doesn't affect their position as "spirits from afar" that walk among the trees and plants as their shepards. Maiar-yes possibly but then I think they were maiar that arrived later to Arda.

Huan (not to mention Ungoliant) can also be discussed, but this is not the place for such discussions...