Martial Eagle
Polemaetus bellicosus
Game regions. Dark brown above, looks black. Legs well feathered. In flight shows dark underwings.
Eagles (True)
EN
Not Endemic
Description
Fairly common resident. Distinctive large, long-legged eagle, most similar to [Black-chested Snake-Eagle] but differing in spotted underparts (female more than male) and fully feathered legs; in flight by dark (not whitish) underwings. Immature differs from first year plumage [Crowned Eagle] in brownish or grey-blotched, not entirely white head and finer tail barring. Contact call (rarely) a loud, ringing ‘kloo-ee, kloo-ee…’ to mate or Juv. Occurs singly in bushveld, woodland and thornveld, but widespread; occasionally also found on open plains. Hunts while flying or from a hidden perch. Feeding on gamebirds, mammals, small antelope, favouring monitor lizards. Nests are a conspicuous large stick structure on pylons or trees. Largest eagle in sub-Saharan Africa. 3-6 kg.
Quick Facts
Size
78-83 cm - VL
Names
A: Breëkoparend
Z: isiHuhwa
Ss: Ntsu E Kgolo
G: Kampfadler
Bird Family
Distinguished from all other raptors by their fully feathered legs. Prey is killed either by impact or by crushing it in the eagle's powerful talons; flesh is torn by the well-hooked bill. Most eagles hunt while flying, wheeling effortlessly in rising warm air, and are seldom seen perched in fair weather.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Occurs singly in bushveld, woodland and thornveld, but widespread; occasionally also found on open plains.
