- Aquila rapax
Identification
62-72cm. Tawny upperparts and blackish flight feathers and tail. The lower back is very pale.
Distribution
Africa. Widespread and common in sub-Saharan Africa breeding from southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya south to eastern South Africa. Also breeds within the Western Palearctic in Morocco and a small area of northern Algeria. Formerly also bred in Tunisia.
Mainly resident but has occurred further north in Morocco and as a vagrant elsewhere in North Africa east to Egypt and exceptionally also recorded in Israel. In Europe recorded in Spain and Sardinia.
Taxonomy
Considered conspecific with Steppe Eagle A. nipalensis by some authors.
Two races recognised: cirtensis in North Africa and the nominate in remainder of range.
Habitat
Semi-arid Acacia savanna, and also semi-desert, and steppes.
Behaviour
It lays 1–3 eggs in a stick nest in a tree, crag or on the ground.
The diet includes largely fresh carrion; it will kill small mammals up to the size of a rabbit, reptiles and birds up to the size of guineafowl. It will also steal food from other raptors.
