Verreaux's Eagle
Encyclopedia
Verreaux's Eagle alternatively known as the Black Eagle (leading to confusion with the Asian Black Eagle
), is a large bird of prey
. This eagle
lives in hill
y and mountaineous regions of southern
and eastern Africa (extending marginally into Chad
), and very locally in Western Asia.
of the Northern Hemisphere
, and the Wedge-tailed Eagle
of Australia
.
es (or dassies). The size of its territory often inversely reflects the size of the local hyrax
population. Occasionally, it will prey on birds such as guineafowl
or mammal
s of similar size to hyraxes, such as large rodent
s. There are reports stating that the Verreaux's Eagle also preys on monkeys, small antelope and seldomly on reptiles and carrion. It hunts its prey by swooping around the corners of cliffs and thus surprising it prey by its sudden appearance. It also stoops from a perch; although this method is used less often. A pair of Verreaux's Eagle may hunt cooperatively, it seldom pirates food from Bearded Vulture or other large eagle species.
, four days apart in autumn, and these will hatch approximately 45 days later. In Southern Africa the breeding season stretches from April to June, sometimes into August. Its nest is a huge stick-nest platform in the shape of a platform. The nest's diameter is about 1.5-2m. The 30-40cm diameter bowl is lined with green leaves. The nest is usually situated on a cliff ledge, rarely in a tree. The nest site is generally marked by a 'whitewash' which is formed by the birds' droppings.
The name commemorates the French naturalist Jules Verreaux
, who visited southern Africa
in the early 18th century.
Black Eagle
The Black Eagle is a bird of prey. Like all eagles, it is in the family Accipitridae, and is the only member of the genus Ictinaetus. They soar over forests in the hilly regions of tropical Asia and hunt mammals and birds, particularly at their nests...
), is a large bird of prey
Bird of prey
Birds of prey are birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing, using their keen senses, especially vision. They are defined as birds that primarily hunt vertebrates, including other birds. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing and/or piercing flesh....
. This eagle
Eagle
Eagles are members of the bird family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just two species can be found in the United States and Canada, nine more in...
lives in hill
Hill
A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills...
y and mountaineous regions of southern
Southern Africa
Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. Within the region are numerous territories, including the Republic of South Africa ; nowadays, the simpler term South Africa is generally reserved for the country in English.-UN...
and eastern Africa (extending marginally into Chad
Chad
Chad , officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west...
), and very locally in Western Asia.
Description
It is 75 to 96 cm (29.5 to 37.8 in) long. Males weigh 3 to 4.2 kg (6.6 to 9.3 lb) and females weigh 3.1 to 5.8 kg (6.8 to 12.8 lb). It has a wingspan of 1.81 to 2.2 m (5.9 to 7.2 ft). It is black with a distinct white V marking on its back. Juveniles are usually light and dark brown with a black face. Structurally, it is very similar to the Golden EagleGolden Eagle
The Golden Eagle is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. Once widespread across the Holarctic, it has disappeared from many of the more heavily populated areas...
of the Northern Hemisphere
Northern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of its equator—the word hemisphere literally means “half sphere”. It is also that half of the celestial sphere north of the celestial equator...
, and the Wedge-tailed Eagle
Wedge-tailed Eagle
The Wedge-tailed Eagle , sometimes known as the Eaglehawk in its native range, is the largest bird of prey in Australia, but it is also found in southern New Guinea. It has long, fairly broad wings, fully feathered legs, and an unmistakable wedge-shaped tail...
of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Feeding
It is a specialist hunter of hyraxHyrax
A hyrax is any of four species of fairly small, thickset, herbivorous mammals in the order Hyracoidea. The rock hyrax Procavia capensis, the yellow-spotted rock hyrax Heterohyrax brucei, the western tree hyrax Dendrohyrax dorsalis, and the southern tree hyrax, Dendrohyrax arboreus live in Africa...
es (or dassies). The size of its territory often inversely reflects the size of the local hyrax
Hyrax
A hyrax is any of four species of fairly small, thickset, herbivorous mammals in the order Hyracoidea. The rock hyrax Procavia capensis, the yellow-spotted rock hyrax Heterohyrax brucei, the western tree hyrax Dendrohyrax dorsalis, and the southern tree hyrax, Dendrohyrax arboreus live in Africa...
population. Occasionally, it will prey on birds such as guineafowl
Guineafowl
The guineafowl are a family of birds in the Galliformes order, although some authorities include the guineafowl as a subfamily, Numidinae, of the family Phasianidae...
or mammal
Mammal
Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young...
s of similar size to hyraxes, such as large rodent
Rodent
Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....
s. There are reports stating that the Verreaux's Eagle also preys on monkeys, small antelope and seldomly on reptiles and carrion. It hunts its prey by swooping around the corners of cliffs and thus surprising it prey by its sudden appearance. It also stoops from a perch; although this method is used less often. A pair of Verreaux's Eagle may hunt cooperatively, it seldom pirates food from Bearded Vulture or other large eagle species.
Breeding
It is highly territorial and can often be seen with another Verreaux's Eagle, with whom it mates for life. The pair will lay two cream-colored eggsEgg (biology)
An egg is an organic vessel in which an embryo first begins to develop. In most birds, reptiles, insects, molluscs, fish, and monotremes, an egg is the zygote, resulting from fertilization of the ovum, which is expelled from the body and permitted to develop outside the body until the developing...
, four days apart in autumn, and these will hatch approximately 45 days later. In Southern Africa the breeding season stretches from April to June, sometimes into August. Its nest is a huge stick-nest platform in the shape of a platform. The nest's diameter is about 1.5-2m. The 30-40cm diameter bowl is lined with green leaves. The nest is usually situated on a cliff ledge, rarely in a tree. The nest site is generally marked by a 'whitewash' which is formed by the birds' droppings.
The name commemorates the French naturalist Jules Verreaux
Jules Verreaux
Jules Pierre Verreaux was a French botanist, ornithologist and professional collector of, and trader in, natural history specimens...
, who visited southern Africa
Southern Africa
Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. Within the region are numerous territories, including the Republic of South Africa ; nowadays, the simpler term South Africa is generally reserved for the country in English.-UN...
in the early 18th century.