We were on an Aves Birding Tour and had a great sighting yesterday, early
afternoon, of a Verreaux's Eagle, perched and flying, close to Blousteen on the
road between Rooiels and Gordon’s Bay.
Verreaux's Eagle
Verreaux's
Eagle - Aquila
verreauxii - is a large bird of prey, found in mountaineous regions of Eastern
and Southern Africa. Its distribution is
strongly linked to that of the Rock Hyraxes/Dassie and is fairly common in Zimbabwe, Namibia
and South Africa.Description
The adult has
black plumage overall, except on back and rump. The back shows a broad white
V-shaped patch. Lower back, rump and uppertail coverts are white.
Underparts are black. The wings show a large white panel on both sides on the
primaries, extending to the leading edge. The powerful hooked bill is grey with
yellow cere and gape. Eyes are brown, surrounded by yellow eye-ring. Lores are
yellow. Legs and feet are yellow with black talons. Sexes are similar. Juveniles
are usually light and dark brown with a black face.
Call
They are usually
silent. During the flight displays, it sometimes gives a harsh yelping call and
a they also utter a melodious “keee-up”.
Food
It is a
specialist hunter of Rock Hyraxes/Dassies, but will prey on birds, mammals and large rodents. These birds of prey are
territorial and the pair will often hunt cooperatively.
Breeding
A territorial
solitary nester with the nest being built by both sexes over a period of six
weeks to four months. Eggs are laid between April and July, with two cream-coloured eggs laid. The eggs are mainly incubated by
the female for about 44 to 48 days with the male feeding her at the nest. The
older chick relentlessly attacks its younger sibling until it dies. The chick
leaves the nest at between 90 to 98 days and is chased out of the territory by
its parents about four months later.
Conservation Status – Least concern
This species has
an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for
Vulnerable under the range size criterion. It is not threatened globally, with
a remarkably stable population in southern Africa, although it is near
threatened in Namibia
due to its small population.
Birdwatching
Ask Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures
to create a tour for you or book on one of the following Aves Birding Tour/Safaris/Adventures see these magnificent eagles:
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Aves Eastern Cape Birding
Tour / Safari /Adventure.
Aves Highlands / Tembe Birding Tour / Safari /
Adventure.
Aves KZN Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves North East
Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves North West Birding Tour
/ Safari / Adventure.
Aves Western Cape Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves West Coast
Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.