This species is the largest eagle in Africa, the female weighing up to six kilograms and having a wingspan of up to 2.6m. It is a powerful-looking, long-legged eagle with a broad, flat head and penetrating yellow eyes. It probably occurs more widely than any other eagle in Southern Africa, ranging from the driest to the wettest environment and from the flattest to the most mountainous regions. Everywhere, however, they are thinly spread the ground and even in its prime habitat, in some national parks, its density is no more than one pair per 150km square kilometers. Thus it is not seen anywhere frequently; added to this, it spends much of its time flying, often at such a great height that it is invisible to the human eye.

These powerful and rapacious eagles probably do most of their hunting from the air and their power of vision is phenomenal. Guinea fowl and other game birds are often taken, but their range of prey recorded for the species is wide, from small buck and mammals to snakes.

Although still widespread, the Martial eagle is becoming increasingly scarce in the more developed parts of Southern Africa. A disturbingly large number are shot for real and imagined stock thefts. If a bird occurring at such a low density and with a very slow reproduction rate, such persecution could have a major impact on the overall population of the species. An alternative to shooting every potential predator on the farm is urgently needed soon if species such as the eagle are to survive outside national parks and game reserves.

Recognition:

Appearance: Length = 80cm. Distinctive, with dark brown head, breast and upperparts and white, spotted under parts. Dark brown under wing, seen in flight distinguishes it from the superficially similar Black breasted snake eagle. Yellow eyes, cere and feet greenish grey. Juveniles are quite different - grey above and white below.

Voice: Generally quiet, normally only heard calling when near or at the nest during breeding. Usual call a drawn-out "weeeeeeooo" made in flight or a whining "peu-peu-pe-pe-pe". Chick on nest makes a loud "queeo, queeo" begging note, sometimes repeated continuously for several minutes.

Behavior: Occurs singly, except in the vicinity of the nest; usually seen either sailing high overhead or perched on a prominent dead tree. Probably spends much time on the wing, often to high too be seen from the ground.

Food and feeding

These birds hunt mainly from the air, soaring at great heights until prey sighted, then dives down and catches prey, using talons.

Breeding

Breeds in winter, mainly April - July; on average breeds twice every three years. They nest in trees; recently recorded nesting on electricity pylons. Builds large nest of sticks usually about 12m above ground in tall tree; some nests used for many successive years. Egg: one, white, sometimes unmarked but usually well speckled or blotched with brown and pale red. Size - 80x63mm. Incubation, mainly or entirely by female, lasts 47 - 49 days; fledgling period about 90 - 100 days.

More photos of eagles:

Martial Eagle	Fish Eagle
American Bald Eagle	Roof Arend