African Hawk-Eagle
Aquila spilogaster
The African Hawk-Eagle (Aquila spilogaster) is a uncommon kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found in 30 countries, weighing about 1.5 kg. The African hawk-eagle is a large bird of prey.
About the African Hawk-Eagle
The African hawk-eagle is a large bird of prey. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. This species' feathered legs mark it as a member of the Aquilinae subfamily. The African hawk-eagle breeds in tropical Sub-Saharan Africa. It is a bird of assorted woodland, including both savanna and hilly areas, but they tend to occur in woodland that is typically dry. The species tends to be rare in areas where their preferred habitat type is absent. This species builds a stick nest of around 1 m (3.3 ft) across in a large tree. The clutch is generally one or two eggs. The African hawk-eagle is powerfully built and hunts small to medium-sized mammals and birds predominantly,…
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How to identify it
The African hawk-eagle has a somewhat small head but one that protrudes quite well due its quite long neck and relatively prominent beak. Furthermore, the species possesses a longish tail, with long and somewhat slender feathered legs and has large, robust feet. Although African hawk-eagles occasionally take to perching in the open, they usually are somewhat obscured for much of the day within the cover of foliage and often perch relatively low down in tall trees. The wing tips tend to fall a bit short of the tail tip. Voice: The African hawk-eagle is generally silent outside breeding season. Its main call is melodious fluting klooee. The call is perhaps most often recorded in contact between pair members. The call is sometimes considered not unlike that of the often sympatric Wahlberg's eagle (Hieraaetus wahlbergi) but that of the African hawk-eagle tends to be less drawn out and more mellow in tone.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire.
When to see it
The African Hawk-Eagle can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an African Hawk-Eagle?
- The African hawk-eagle has a somewhat small head but one that protrudes quite well due its quite long neck and relatively prominent beak. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an African Hawk-Eagle?
- The African Hawk-Eagle is a large sized bird weighing about 1.5 kg.
- Where can you see an African Hawk-Eagle?
- The African Hawk-Eagle occurs in 30 countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Botswana and Tanzania.
- What birds look similar to an African Hawk-Eagle?
- The African Hawk-Eagle is most easily confused with the Spanish Imperial Eagle, the Verreaux's Eagle and the Eastern Imperial Eagle.
- Is the African Hawk-Eagle endangered?
- The African Hawk-Eagle is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the African Hawk-Eagle for real
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