Crowned Eagle: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Eagles · day 5 of 7

Five facts

1. For the size of the prey it takes, the crowned eagle is seen as the most powerful eagle in Africa.
2. The crowned eagle's display is a series of steep dives and climbs. It can drop as much as 60 m at a time.
3. A displaying male crowned eagle throws his head back and calls shrilly, often for about 30 seconds.
4. Crowned eagles have preyed on ungulates as large as bushbuck, which can weigh up to 30 kg, though usually much less.
5. Pairs also put on joint sky shows, locking talons and tumbling down through the air together.

The quiz

1. Compared with its prey's size, how is the crowned eagle considered?

• Africa's most powerful eagle (correct)
• Africa's slowest eagle
• Africa's smallest eagle
• Africa's loudest eagle

For the size of its prey, it is seen as Africa's most powerful eagle.

2. How far can a displaying crowned eagle drop at a time?

• As much as 6 m
• As much as 20 m
• As much as 60 m (correct)
• As much as 600 m

In its display dives, it can plunge up to 60 m before circling back up.

3. What does the displaying male do while calling?

• Closes his eyes
• Throws his head back (correct)
• Hangs upside down
• Lands on a branch

The male throws his head back while calling for about 30 seconds.

4. Up to how much can a bushbuck weigh?

• Up to 3 kg
• Up to 130 kg
• Up to 300 kg
• Up to 30 kg (correct)

Bushbuck can weigh up to 30 kg, though usually much less.

5. What is typical of a pair's mutual displays?

• Interlocking talons (correct)
• Building a nest in mid-air
• Feeding each other fish
• Singing in chorus

Locking talons and tumbling through the air together are typical of pair displays.

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