Crowned Eagle

The Crowned Eagle, also known as the African Crowned Eagle or Crowned Hawk-Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus), is a formidable bird of prey found in sub-Saharan Africa. This species is the sole extant member of the genus Stephanoaetus. The Crowned Eagle is a large raptor, with a body length of up to 90 cm (35 in), and is recognized as Africa's most powerful eagle in relation to the size of its prey.

Identification Tips

Adult Crowned Eagles are striking with a dark to rufous-tinged brown crown featuring a prominent, often-raised black-tipped double crest. Their upperparts are a blackish brown-grey, while the underparts are white with dense black bars and blotches. The wings have white bases with black tips and two black bars. The tail is black with brownish-grey bands. Juveniles have a white head and underside, contrasting with heavily spotted thighs and legs.

Habitat

Crowned Eagles favor dense woodlands, including those within rainforests, but can also be found in relict patches, wooded escarpments, and heavily wooded hillsides. They inhabit altitudes from sea level to at least 3,000 m (9,800 ft).

Distribution

Their range extends from central Ethiopia through East Africa down to eastern South Africa, and across the African rainforest from Senegal and The Gambia to Angola.

Behaviour

The Crowned Eagle is sedentary and territorial, known for its noisy, undulating display flight. It is highly vocal, with a series of loud whistles that rise and fall in pitch. This eagle is bold and ferocious, capable of hunting prey much larger than itself, including small ungulates.

Song & Calls

The call is a series of loud whistles that rise and fall in pitch. During display flights, the male emits a shrill kewee-kewee-kewee, while the female has a lower kooee-kooee-kooee.

Breeding

Crowned Eagles have a prolonged breeding cycle of about 500 days, with a single breeding cycle taking place every two years. They build massive nests in large trees, which may be used for several years.

Similar Species

The juvenile Crowned Eagle may be confused with the similarly colored juvenile Martial Eagle but can be distinguished by its much longer, more heavily barred tail and shorter wings.

Diet and Feeding

The Crowned Eagle's diet is predominantly mammalian, with a preference for small ungulates and primates. It is an apex predator in its habitat, capable of taking prey as large as bushbuck calves.

Conservation status

The Crowned Eagle is currently listed by the IUCN as Near Threatened, primarily due to habitat destruction and the bushmeat trade. It is more common in protected areas but is susceptible to persecution outside these zones.