08/04/2024
Tawny Eagle (Aquila Rapax)
This is a large bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae. It has heavily feathered legs, which classify it as a member of the subfamily Aquilinae, also known as booted eagles. These eagles have an extensive but discontinuous breeding range across much of Africa and the Indian subcontinent, with rare residency in the southern Middle East. They prefer open dry habitats such as semideserts, deserts, steppes, or savanna plains, although they seldom occur in areas completely devoid of trees. Tawny eagles are resident breeders, laying one to three eggs in stick nests, often located in the crown of a tree. They exhibit remarkable opportunism, scavenging on carrion, engaging in kleptoparasitism, and actively preying on diverse prey. Unfortunately, their population is declining due to factors like habitat loss, persecution, and anthropogenic mortality12. The tawny eagle is a fascinating and adaptable species, well-suited to its arid environments! 🦅
Kruger Magazine
