I like very much the pose and the eye contact. But I'd love to see more detail in the shadowed plumage and more room at the top.
Maybe a vertical composition is in order.
Are you sure about the ID ? (it looks more like a buzzard to me, Buteo buteo)
I agree that the original would look better as vertical with more space and maybe some S/H or curves applied.
The eagle in the second looks quite impressive. I would put him a tad higher in the frame to give it room for the 'virtual legs' and increase contrast a few points.