In SABAP 1 published in 1997, Andre Boshoff wrote: "Although numbers have decreased locally in many areas, often dramatically, the Martial Eagle is still widespread in southern Africa ... The conservation status provides cause for concern ... The main causes [of the decrease] are direct persecution (shooting and trapping) by small-stock farmers, indirect persecution by poisoning, drowning in sheer-walled reservoirs, reduction of natural prey through habitat alteration and degradation, and electrocution on electricity pylons."

Unfortunately in SABAP 2 the numbers have continued to decline, even in the large conservation areas.

These majestic birds need our help.

Martial Eagle

The Martial Eagle - Polemaetus bellicosus - is the largest eagle found in Africa. It is found in open and semi-open habitats of sub-Saharan Africa. Its preferred habitat is the semi-desert and open savannah. These eagles are mainly resident, although immature birds may wander great distances.

Description

They are the largest of the African eagles and incredibly powerful, capable of knocking an adult man off his feet. They reputedly have enough power in one foot to break a man's arm. The Martial eagle weighs in at 14 pounds and has a wingspan of about 6 feet 4 inches. The adult's plumage has dark brown upperparts, head and upper chest. The body underparts are white spotted with black. The underwing coverts are brown, with pale flight feathers, also streaked with black. The female is usually larger and more spotted than the male. The immature is paler above and has white underparts. It reaches adult plumage in its seventh year.

Call

A loud call 'klee-klee-klee-kloeee-kloeee-kuleee' on the wing during the breeding season and a weak whistling “hlueee-oh” high pitched, near the nest or when it is excited.

Food

Its diet is made up of birds, reptiles and mammals. Birds include egyptian geese, guineafowl and bustards. Reptiles include large snakes and lizards while mammalian prey is made up of hyrax, small antelope, monkeys and occasionally goats, and lambs. It does most of its hunting aerially, soaring high in the air so that it can spot prey up to 6 km away. Once it finds something, it descends in a long swoop, dropping to the ground with wings and tail spread striking the prey. Most prey items weigh between 1 and 5 kilograms.

Breeding

A solitary nester, with a pair bond that often lasts several breeding seasons. The female builds the nest which consists of a large platform of sticks. It is typically placed in a large, forked branch below the canopy of a large tree or in high-tension pylon.

The egg-laying season is from February to August. Normally a single egg is laid and incubated by the female for between 48 to 53 days. The chick is brooded almost constantly by the female for 2-3 weeks, after which she starts to assist the male with hunting to provide for their young. The chick typically leaves the nest at between 90 to 109 days old. The fledgling continues to roost in the nest for another 3 to 8 months, still provided with food from the female. The fledgling leaves its parents' territory at the start of the following breeding season.

Conservation Status – Vulnerable

Vulnerable in South Africa and Endangered in Namibia, largely due to persecution on farmlands. This species is currently experiencing a major decline in numbers in areas where they come into contact with humans. Domestic animals constitute only a small proportion of their diet, whereas the presence of these eagles is a sure sign of a healthy environment. Reduction in natural prey may lead to an increase in predation on domestic animals which may in turn lead to increased persecution by farmers. In some areas birds may be taken for use in traditional medicine. The preservation of this species depends on education of farmers, and the direct protection of nesting sites.

Bird watching

Ask Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures to create an Aves custom tour for you or book on one of the following Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures: -

 Aves Arid Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure.

Aves Highlands / Temba Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.

Aves KZN Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.

Aves North East Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.

Aves North West Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure.