Wahlberg's eagle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wahlberg's eagle |
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| Photographed in the Kruger National Park, South Africa | |
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| Genus: |
Hieraaetus
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| Species: |
wahlbergi
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The Wahlberg's eagle (Hieraaetus wahlbergi) is a type of bird of prey found in sub-Saharan Africa. These eagles are known for moving from one place to another depending on the season, living in forests and grassy areas called savannas.
This eagle gets its name from Johan August Wahlberg, a Swedish scientist. Like all eagles, it belongs to a bird family called Accipitridae.
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What Does Wahlberg's Eagle Look Like?
Wahlberg's eagle is a medium-sized bird of prey. Both male and female eagles look quite similar. They are usually about 53 to 61 centimeters (about 21 to 24 inches) long. Their wings can spread wide, from 130 to 146 centimeters (about 51 to 57 inches).
Male eagles weigh between 437 and 845 grams (about 1 to 1.8 pounds), while females are a bit heavier, weighing from 670 to 1400 grams (about 1.5 to 3 pounds).
These eagles have a small crest on their head and bright yellow legs. Their feathers can be different shades of brown. Most are dark brown, but the underside of their flight feathers and tail are grey with dark stripes. Some eagles are much lighter brown, with whitish undersides. The lighter eagles are less common than the darker ones. When flying, they look like a cross shape with straight wings and a square tail.
Where Do Wahlberg's Eagles Live?
Wahlberg's eagles live across a large part of Africa. You can find them from central Chad all the way to the northeast coast of South Africa. They are most often seen in the eastern parts of the continent.
These eagles usually live in areas from sea level up to about 1,800 meters (about 5,900 feet) high. However, they have been seen even higher, at 2,800 meters (about 9,200 feet) in Ethiopia.
Wahlberg's eagles are amazing travelers! They can fly very long distances quickly. For example, in 1994, a female eagle was tracked for nine months. During that time, she flew over 8,800 kilometers (about 5,468 miles)! She traveled from northern Namibia to Chad and back again. Her journey between her breeding grounds in the south and her non-breeding areas in the north was about 3,520 kilometers (about 2,187 miles). She even flew over 700 kilometers (about 435 miles) north in just five days after leaving her breeding area.
What Do Wahlberg's Eagles Eat?
Wahlberg's eagles are skilled hunters. They mostly hunt other birds, including smaller birds of prey like the Gabar goshawk and Barn owl. They also eat reptiles, such as different kinds of lizards and snakes.
Sometimes, they catch small mammals like Tree squirrels, mongooses, and hares. They even eat various Invertebrates, which are creatures without backbones, such as termites, grasshoppers, and beetles.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Wahlberg's eagles mainly breed in southern Africa. Their breeding season is from October to February. These eagles build their nests out of sticks. They usually place their nests in the fork of a tree or at the top of a palm tree.
Wahlberg's eagles are known to be monogamous, meaning they have only one partner. They often stay with the same partner for many years. They perform amazing and complex aerial displays in the sky to attract a mate.
These eagles are very protective of their territory and prefer to nest alone. The same pair of eagles will often use the same nest for several years in a row. Their breeding season happens during the wet season in northern South Africa. This is because there is more food available during this time. The female eagle feeds the young chicks with food that the male eagle brings to the nest.
