African Hawk-Eagle

Aquila spilogaster

A: Grootjagarend
G: Habichtsadler
N: kai-anxa !khās
Sp: Ntšhumebalabala ye kgolo
Ss: Ntsutjheke e kgolo
Tw: Ntsukgweba e kgolo
Z: ukhozolumidwayidwa

BIRD FAMILY
Eagles (True)

SIZE
60-65 cm (L)

HABITAT
Usually occurs in pairs in wooded savanna and well-wooded hillsides. Pairs soar conspicuously in the mornings. Otherwise, it perches within the canopy of a leafy tree for much of the day. Hunting birds, small mammals and reptiles in a stooping flight. Often hunting in pairs cooperatively herding and attacking game birds. Nesting in large trees along waterways.

SPECIES DESCRIPTION
Fairly common resident. A medium-large eagle larger than Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle ; female often more heavily streaked than male. Seen from below has characteristic white ‘windows’ at the base of the primaries and tail has a broad subterminal tail-band, wings a dark trailing edge with dark black to brown wing coverts. Immature is rufous on the head; underparts show varying amounts of dark streaking on the breast; cf. immature Black Sparrowhawk , which has bare legs. In flight immature lacks the broad subterminal tail band and secondary edging, The call is a flute-like ‘klu-klu-klukluee’.