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The martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) is a large eagle native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is the only member of the genus Polemaetus. A species of the booted eagle subfamily , it has feathering over its tarsus.
- Overview
- Form and function
- Conservation status
martial eagle, (Polemaetus bellicosus), large, long-winged eagle inhabiting dry grassland, scrubland, and scattered woodland habitats of sub-Saharan Africa. The martial eagle is one of the largest birds of prey in the world, and, with a length reaching up to 96 cm (37 inches) long and a weight up to 6.5 kg (14 pounds), it is the largest eagle in Af...
Martial eagles have brown heads, throats, and wings. Their underparts are white with dark spots, and the undersides of their tail feathers are striped with black. The species is easily distinguishable by these features along with their large hooked black bill, curved talons, and large wings. Most adults grow to about 80 cm (32 inches) in length and weigh between 3.1 and 6.2 kg (6.8 and 13.7 pounds), although some may be larger. They have large wingspans that can range from 1.9 to 2.6 meters (6.2 to 8.5 feet).
Martial eagles are monogamous birds that become sexually mature about age four. They construct large nests (which range from 1.2 to 1.8 meters [4 to 6 feet] in diameter]) in tall trees or on electrical towers (power pylons) set between 6 and 24 meters (20 and 80 feet) above the ground. The nests are lined with leaves and sticks. Pairs of eagles build two nests typically, between which they alternate from one year to the next. Breeding may happen throughout the year, and the female usually lays one egg, which is incubated for about 45 days before the young bird hatches. Both parents feed and protect their chick for almost two months. Although the young bird makes its first flight some 90–100 days after hatching, it will not become fully independent until 2–3 years later.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) considered the martial eagle as a species of least concern in 2008; however, owing to precipitous declines in the bird’s population, the IUCN has listed it as an endangered species since 2020. Martial eagles are often hunted, trapped, and poisoned by commercial farming ...
- John P. Rafferty
The Martial eagle is one of the world's most powerful avian predators. Due to both its underside spotting and ferocious efficiency as a predator, it is sometimes nicknamed “the leopard of the air”.
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A massive eagle with a short but prominent crest. The adult is uniformly brown on the head, back, and chest, with a pale belly covered in brown blotches. In flight the underwings are brown. Either solitary or in pairs, it inhabits woodland, plains, and semi-desert, where it hunts for vertebrates.
- They’re the largest eagles in Africa. This is probably their main selling point, but it’s far from all they’ve got. Martial eagles are beasts of the bird world, often reaching weights in excess of 6kg, and are contenders for the world’s heaviest eagle, perhaps only slightly behind the Stellar’s Sea Eagle, the Harpy Eagle and the Philippine Eagle.
- They are mostly silent. These are the kind of birds who don’t really want to be heard. They’ll barely make a peep outside of mating season and prefer to come across as silent and brooding.
- They can spot prey at a distance of 5-6km (3-4 miles) away. Raptors do tend to have good eyes, but the Martial eagle has been estimated to have at least three to four times the visual acuity of humans.
- They’re powerful hunters. Lots of predators go for animals much smaller than they are, but the Martial eagle isn’t afraid to punch up. It seems like they’re not fussy about where their prey comes from, as long as it’s large and puts up a good fight.
The Martial Eagle is a master soarer. It can spend a lot of time flying through the sky at great heights. Like many raptors, these eagles are top predators – they hunt other animals for food but no animals hunt them on a regular basis. For most top predators, their only threat is humans.
Dec 9, 2023 · The martial eagle is the largest of Africa’s eagles and is the fifth largest eagle worldwide based on average weight and average wingspan. Found only in sub-Saharan Africa, this beautiful crested eagle is very identifiable due to its size and plumage.
