Wedge-tailed Eagle: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Eagles · day 2 of 7

Five facts

1. Its eye is about the size of a small human's and can see ultraviolet light. It may be one of the sharpest-eyed birds on Earth.
2. It guards its sky fiercely. It is known for diving at hang gliders and paragliders, and has even downed drones used in mining surveys.
3. Teamwork is common. One eagle waits out of sight while its partner drives the prey towards it.
4. Its stick nest keeps growing year after year, up to 2.5 m wide and almost 4 m deep. A big one can weigh well over 400 kg.
5. Young eagles seem to play. They have been seen fetching sticks and teasing dogs by hovering just above them until they bark.

The quiz

1. What kind of light can the wedge-tailed eagle see?

• Ultraviolet light (correct)
• Only black and white
• X-rays
• Only red light

Its keen eyesight reaches into ultraviolet bands.

2. Which flying objects is this eagle known for attacking?

• Kites at the beach
• Weather balloons only
• Hang gliders and paragliders (correct)
• Passenger jets

It often attacks hang gliders and paragliders, likely treating them as rival eagles.

3. How does a pair of wedge-tailed eagles hunt as a team?

• Both dive at exactly the same time
• One hides while the other drives prey towards it (correct)
• One sings to calm the prey
• They dig the prey out together

One eagle lies in wait while the other chases the prey its way.

4. How heavy can a big wedge-tailed eagle nest get?

• About 5 kg
• About 40 kg
• About 1 kg
• Well over 400 kg (correct)

Nests are added to over the years and good-sized ones weigh well over 400 kg.

5. What game have young wedge-tailed eagles been seen playing with dogs?

• Chasing balls
• Hovering above them until they bark (correct)
• Racing them along the road
• Hiding their bones

They float above the dogs until they bark or leap, then rise and repeat.

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