- Hieraaetus wahlbergi
Identification
Length 55-60 cm, mass 0.85-1.5 kg, females larger than males.
Three colour morphs occur. In flight the shape is diagnostic; the tail is seldom spread, usually appearing long, narrow and square; the wings are also long and narrow. Sitting, a crest should be present, but reportedly, it is surprisingly often not visible.
As discussed in this thread, the shape of the nostrils is different between this species and Tawny Eagle; Tawny Eagle has nostrils on a diagonal that is almost vertical, while Wahlberg's Eagle has nostrils almost horizontal.
Distribution
Sub-Saharan Africa. Widespread from Senegal to Sudan and Ethiopia and south to north-east Namibia, Botswana and north-east South Africa. Absent from the closed forests of Central Africa.
Southern breeders are migratory and winter to the north of the breeding range.
Taxonomy
Monotypic.
Habitat
Wooded savanna, riverine woodland and lakesides.
Behaviour
It builds a stick nest in the fork of a tree or the crown of a palm treea and 1-2 eggs are laid.
The diet includes reptiles, small mammals and birds.
