Black eagle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black eagle |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| The wing tip reaches the tail at rest (ssp. perniger) | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ictinaetus
|
| Species: |
malaiensis
|
| Subspecies | |
|
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The black eagle (Ictinaetus malaiensis) is a cool bird of prey. Like all eagles, it belongs to the Accipitridae family. This eagle is the only member of its group, called Ictinaetus.
These eagles fly high over forests in the hilly parts of tropical and subtropical South and Southeast Asia. You can also find them in southeastern China. They hunt small animals and birds, often taking them right from their nests.
You can easily spot a black eagle by its unique look. It has long, spread-out wingtips that look like "fingers." It also has a special shape when flying slowly. Its yellow beak base (called a cere) and yellow legs stand out against its dark feathers.
Contents
Black Eagle Basics
What is a Subspecies?
Scientists group animals into different types. A subspecies is a group within a species that has small differences. These differences might be in their looks or where they live.
The black eagle has two main subspecies:
- I. m. perniger: This group lives in northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, southern India, and Sri Lanka.
- I. m. malaiensis: This group is found from Myanmar to southern China, across Southeast Asia, and in the Indonesian islands (but not the Lesser Sunda Islands).
What Does a Black Eagle Look Like?
The black eagle is a large but slender eagle. It is about 75 cm (30 in) long. Its wingspan can reach between 148 to 182 cm (4 ft 10 in to 6 ft 0 in). Even though it looks big, it is not very heavy. It usually weighs between 1,000 and 1,600 g (2.2 and 3.5 lb). This is about half the weight of some other eagles in the same area.
Adult black eagles are completely black. They have a yellow beak base (cere) and yellow feet. Their wings are long and narrow near the body, which gives them a special shape. Their tail has faint stripes, and the feathers above the tail are lighter. When the eagle is resting, its wingtips reach or go past its tail.
When flying, they hold their wings in a shallow "V" shape. On hot days, you can often see them flying slowly just above the treetops. They look for nests to raid. Their jet-black color, large size, and slow flight make them easy to spot.
Young Black Eagles
Young black eagles look a bit different from adults. They have a light brown head, belly, and feathers under their wings. The shape of their wings helps tell them apart from other dark eagles. Their legs are fully feathered, and their toes are short and strong. They have long claws, especially on their inner toe. These claws are not as curved as those of other birds of prey.
Where Do Black Eagles Live?
Black eagles live in tropical and subtropical Asia. The perniger subspecies lives in the Himalayan foothills. This includes parts of Nepal, India (like Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir), and the forests of the Eastern and Western Ghats in peninsular India and Sri Lanka. You can also find them in western India, especially in the forests of southern and eastern Gujarat. They also live in the Aravalli mountain range in northwestern India.
The malaiensis subspecies lives in Burma, southern China (Yunnan, Fujian), and Taiwan. It also extends into Southeast Asia. These eagles usually stay in one place and do not migrate. A study in southern India found that they prefer forests with lots of tree cover. They were not found in areas where less than half of the land was covered by trees.
Black Eagle Life and Habits
How Do Black Eagles Raise Their Young?
During courtship, male black eagles perform amazing dives. They fold their wings and swoop up in a "U" shape, then stall vertically in the air. They build a large nest, about 3 to 4 feet wide. This nest is usually on a tall tree that looks over a steep valley.
They lay one or two white eggs between January and April. These eggs have brown and purple spots. Black eagles often use the same nest site year after year.
-
A black eagle nest
-
A black eagle bringing materials for its nest
-
The long, spread-out wingtips of a black eagle in slow flight
What Do Black Eagles Eat?
Black eagles eat mammals like bats, squirrels, and other small animals. They also eat birds and their eggs. They are known for being very good at finding and eating things from nests. They fly slowly just above the trees, looking for food.
Their curved claws and wide mouth help them pick up eggs from bird nests. They can even snatch swiftlets from caves! Black eagles are unique because they can carry away an entire nest with baby birds inside to a feeding spot. Swallow-tailed kites also do this.
When black eagles fly over the forest, squirrels, monkeys (like macaques), and many bird species make alarm calls. This warns others that an eagle is nearby. Indian giant squirrels are sometimes eaten by black eagles. Young bonnet macaques can also become their prey.
Are Black Eagles in Danger?
The black eagle is not considered an endangered species. However, it is uncommon in many parts of its range. Its habitat is shrinking because forests are being cut down. This has reduced the areas where it used to live.
Black Eagles and People
The Lepcha people from India's Darjeeling district have a special name for the black eagle. They say it is a bird that "never sits down." This is because the eagle can stay in the air for a very long time with little effort. The Soliga people call it Kaana Kattale. This name means "black" and refers to the eagle living in forested areas.
