Birds · Accipitriformes · Accipitridae

Verreaux's Eagle

Aquila verreauxii

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

Verreaux's eagle, also known as the African black eagle and named after the French naturalist Édouard Verreaux, is an accipitriform bird of the family Accipitridae. It is a bird of prey found across sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula; no subspecies are known. It usually nests in mountainous areas, where it feeds mainly on hyraxes.

Weight

3.6 kg – 4.5 kg

Size

75 cm – 96 cm

Lifespan

30 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

In pairs

Usually lives in pairs, sometimes for life.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

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Fun facts

alimentaciónIt specialises in hunting rock hyraxes, a small mammal, to the point that its range closely follows that of its main prey.
It is one of the most specialised raptors on the planet: in many areas more than ninety per cent of its prey are rock hyraxes, and its density depends directly on theirs.
It lays two eggs but only one survives: the first chick systematically kills the second within the first few days, an obligate siblicide documented in practically every brood studied.
It flies fast along the rock face, appearing suddenly over the ledges where the hyraxes bask and giving them no time to reach the crevices.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Rocky massifs, gorges, koppies and cliffs of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula
Sexual maturity: 5 years
Gestation / incubation: 45 days of incubation
Litter / clutch size: 2 eggs

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquila_verreauxii