Gwaihir in the Hobbit?

[Aredhel Idril Telcontar]

There is also the strange possibility that they were a different race of some sort, little-documented, the knowledge of their roots hidden, created by Illuvitar to serve the Valar and to live in Middle-Earth.

Doubtful. The only races that Iluvatar created are his Children. All other animals were created by the Valar, before Arda was Marred.

...there shall go forth with wings like the wind the Eagles of the Lords of the West... ...High shall climb the trees of Kementari, that the Eagles of the King my house therein!... ...In the mountains the Eagles shall house, and hear the voices of those who call upon us...
-Manwe talking to Yavanna
~Of Aule and Yavanna

Seems pretty obvious who owned the Eagles. They were like Ents, probably. Ents are not exactly Maiar, more like carers and protectors of certain things. So were the Eagles: more than birds, yet not divine.

-Aredhel
[ July 13, 2003: Message edited by: Aredhel Idril Telcontar ]

[ July 13, 2003: Message edited by: Aredhel Idril Telcontar ]