Martial Eagle
Kruger National Park
15h35
Martial eagles are relatively bashful birds and rarely come close to people.
They are Africa’s largest eagle with a wingspan of 2.6 meters.
However, they are relatively unique in that they stoop from high in the sky. One tactic they have is to descend at great speeds, angling their approach to land directly on top of their prey.
*Adult plumage after seven years
These eagles have a striking appearance. White underbellies are speckled with brown spots. A brown head and chest extends into ribboned lines of varying black and brown shades.
*Slow reproduction is one of the reasons these birds are endangered. While other eagles will produce offspring every year, martial eagles rarely breed more than once every two years.
There isn’t an obvious pattern. A pair may breed for four consecutive years. Another may be barren for five years. This erratic pattern makes them a very unproductive bird and ultimately means that when a martial eagle is poached or hunted, it is hard to replace.
*Diet
In some areas birds form an important part of the diet, including guineafowl, francolins, bustards, and poultry. Birds as large as a European Stork are recorded to have fallen prey to the Martial Eagle. In other areas the diet is largely mammalian, especially hyrax and small antelopes.
Animals as large as an Impala calf are taken, and some monkeys, also occasionally young domestic goats, and lambs. Carnivores like mongoose are sometimes taken, even occasionally Serval Cat and Jackal; also a few snakes and large lizards. It will evidently eat whatever is available.
ENDANGERED
Martial Eagle
Kruger National Park
15h35
Martial eagles are relatively bashful birds and rarely come close to people.
They are Africa’s largest eagle with a wingspan of 2.6 meters.
However, they are relatively unique in that they stoop from high in the sky. One tactic they have is to descend at great speeds, angling their approach to land directly on top of their prey.
*Adult plumage after seven years
These eagles have a striking appearance. White underbellies are speckled with brown spots. A brown head and chest extends into ribboned lines of varying black and brown shades.
*Slow reproduction is one of the reasons these birds are endangered. While other eagles will produce offspring every year, martial eagles rarely breed more than once every two years.
There isn’t an obvious pattern. A pair may breed for four consecutive years. Another may be barren for five years. This erratic pattern makes them a very unproductive bird and ultimately means that when a martial eagle is poached or hunted, it is hard to replace.
*Diet
In some areas birds form an important part of the diet, including guineafowl, francolins, bustards, and poultry. Birds as large as a European Stork are recorded to have fallen prey to the Martial Eagle. In other areas the diet is largely mammalian, especially hyrax and small antelopes.
Animals as large as an Impala calf are taken, and some monkeys, also occasionally young domestic goats, and lambs. Carnivores like mongoose are sometimes taken, even occasionally Serval Cat and Jackal; also a few snakes and large lizards. It will evidently eat whatever is available.
ENDANGERED