The Bateleur Eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus) is a large African bird. It is a raptor and an accipiter (birds with powerful hooked beaks and powerful sharp talons).

The Bateleur Eagle is dark-black with a short, chestnut-coloured tail. It has extremely long, pointed wings that are white underneath. It has grey or brown shoulders, and a chestnut back. It has a yellow beak and a brilliant bare red face and base of bill (called the cere). It has an enormous head. Its legs are short and bright red.

It grows to 60 centimetres (24 inches) tall, with a wingspan of 180 centimetres (72 inches).

It is native to east Africa, most of southern Africa, except Namibia and South Africa, and across a band from Senegal in west Africa to Somalia. It prefers open woodlands with long grass, acacia savannahs, semi-deserts, and open plains.

It is diurnal, active during the day. It flies for most of the day, covering up to 400 kilometres (250 miles).

It feeds on rabbits, hares, guineafowl and other birds, lizards, and insects. Sometimes it also feeds on carcasses of dead animals.

The Bateleur Eagle nests in a tall tree. The nest is made of sticks. Females lay one egg.

 

 

 

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM