(Category:Aquila) |
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| − | ;Aquila audax | + | ;[[:Category:Aquila|Aquila]] audax |
[[Image:Wedge-tailed_Eagle.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by stoop<br />Photo taken: SE Queensland, Australia.]] | [[Image:Wedge-tailed_Eagle.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by stoop<br />Photo taken: SE Queensland, Australia.]] | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
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Long wings with long primaries can span from 2 to 2.5 metres. | Long wings with long primaries can span from 2 to 2.5 metres. | ||
Males smaller than females. | Males smaller than females. | ||
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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
Young birds are light brown becoming darker with age until almost all black for the most mature adults. | Young birds are light brown becoming darker with age until almost all black for the most mature adults. | ||
Long 'wedge' or diamond-shaped tail and long wings and primaries are most obvious when soaring. | Long 'wedge' or diamond-shaped tail and long wings and primaries are most obvious when soaring. | ||
| − | Immatures can be confused with immature | + | Immatures can be confused with immature [[White-bellied Sea-eagle]] ''Haliaeetus leucogaster'' which has a much shorter wedge-shaped tail. |
| − | + | ==Distribution== | |
| − | ==Distribution | + | [[Australia]]: occurs almost throughout the continent and on Tasmania, also in southern [[New Guinea]]. Resident and nomadic. |
| − | Australia: occurs almost throughout the continent and on Tasmania, also in southern New Guinea. Resident and nomadic. | + | ==Taxonomy== |
| − | Subspecies: Two races recognised: fleayi in Tasmania and nominate in remainder of range. | + | Subspecies: Two races recognised: ''fleayi'' in Tasmania and nominate in remainder of range. |
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Dry open plains to mountain forests. Nests in trees or sometimes on the ground on islands | Dry open plains to mountain forests. Nests in trees or sometimes on the ground on islands | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | Preys on mammals, large birds and large reptiles (such as snakes and goannas). Can be encountered feeding on road-killed animals in country areas. | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Aquila+audax}} | {{GSearch|Aquila+audax}} | ||
*[http://www.aviceda.org/abid/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&fid=42&bid=594 View more images of this species on the ABID] | *[http://www.aviceda.org/abid/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&fid=42&bid=594 View more images of this species on the ABID] | ||
| − | [[Category:Birds]] | + | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Aquila]] |
Revision as of 12:01, 29 April 2008
- Aquila audax
Description
Australia's largest eagle. Long wings with long primaries can span from 2 to 2.5 metres. Males smaller than females.
Identification
Young birds are light brown becoming darker with age until almost all black for the most mature adults. Long 'wedge' or diamond-shaped tail and long wings and primaries are most obvious when soaring. Immatures can be confused with immature White-bellied Sea-eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster which has a much shorter wedge-shaped tail.
Distribution
Australia: occurs almost throughout the continent and on Tasmania, also in southern New Guinea. Resident and nomadic.
Taxonomy
Subspecies: Two races recognised: fleayi in Tasmania and nominate in remainder of range.
Habitat
Dry open plains to mountain forests. Nests in trees or sometimes on the ground on islands
Behaviour
Preys on mammals, large birds and large reptiles (such as snakes and goannas). Can be encountered feeding on road-killed animals in country areas.
