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Portrait of a female Wedge-Tailed Eagle, Aquila audax
The Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax), sometimes known as the Eaglehawk (an slight misnomer, as it is among the largest raptors) in its native range, is the largest bird of prey in Australia, but it is also found in southern New Guinea. It has long, fairly broad wings, fully feathered legs, and an unmistakable wedge-shaped tail. Because of both its tail and its size - it is one of the largest birds of prey in the world - it can be identified at a glance as a "Wedgie" even by the non-expert.
The Wedge-tailed Eagle is one of twelve species of large predominantly dark-coloured eagles in the genus Aquila found worldwide. A large brown bird of prey, it has a wingspan of up to 2.27 metres (7.4 ft) and a length up to 1.04 metres (3.4 ft). The female Wedge-tailed Eagle weighs between 3 and 5.77 kg (6.6 and 12.7 lb), while the smaller males weigh 2 to 4 kg (4.4 to 8.8 lb).
They are highly aerial, soaring for hours on end without wingbeat or effort, regularly reaching 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) and sometimes considerably higher. The purpose of this very high flight is unknown. Their keen eyesight extends into the infrared and ultraviolet bands. This helps them spot prey and allows them to see rising thermals, which they can use to gain altitude while expending little energy.
Most prey is captured on the ground in gliding attacks or (less frequently) in the air. Choice of prey is very much a matter of convenience and opportunity. Since the arrival of Europeans, the introduced rabbit and Brown Hare have become the primary items of the eagle's diet in many areas. The Wedge-tails can eat almost anything of a suitable size, live-caught or as carrion. They often fall prey themselves to vehicles when they are eating road-kill as they are slow to take off.
Habitat
Open grasslands, light timber, savannah
Location
Renmark
Date taken
November 2010
Scientific name
Aquila audax
Equipment used
Canon 500D, Tamron zoom lens
That's a lovely clear photo Carole-Anne, although I'm sorry to say that compared to some of the beauties I have seen, that Missy in the piccy looks about as purdee as the south end of a north bound camel!

That size info you give (2.27m) can be conservative, I have seen them much bigger, over 2.5m
(and I know that was a very accurate measure, because it missed my car by a matter of inches as it flew head on over the front windscreen, with wing tips hanging over each side of the bonnet by half a metre each! Thankfully I was able to brake enough that no contact was made and no harm done).

You might be interested in a post I made about them here:
http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2343422&postcount=6

These are truly magnificent birds.

I sure do hope that we don't devolve them in some way from the fiercesome hunters that they are.

The Tasmanian ones, aquila audax fleayi are even larger, but endangered, with what is thought to be only ~200 pairs left. So like the Phillipene Eagle, that puts them right about on the edge of survival, and we sure aren't treating either and their habitats like we want them to either.


Chosun :gh:
 
This is a great close-up Carole-Anne...it is full of so much detail in the eye and feathers, this image is beautiful.
 
An awesome portrait capture of a wedgie, Carole-Anne. We were at Mannum over the weekend and had pleasure in watching 2 disappear into the distance, vertically.

Thanks for sharing with us. Welcome to BF, we look forward to seeing many more of your pics.
 

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Category
Asia, Australia & Pacific Islands
Added by
Carole-Anne
Date added
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Comment count
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