Crowned Eagle
Near ThreatenedStephanoaetus coronatus
Visual Identification
Crowned Eagle
Appearance
The Crowned Eagle is a striking raptor with a dark brown back, black-barred white underparts, and a distinctive black-and-white crest. Its powerful build includes broad wings, a long tail, and formidable talons.
Females are noticeably larger than males, often by up to 10-15%. Juveniles have paler plumage with a less prominent crest and take about 5 years to develop adult colouration.
Size
Length
80cm to 99cm
Wingspan
160cm to 190cm
Weight
2.7kg to 4.7kg
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Black White
Secondary Colour
Grey
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Yellow
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Crowned Eagles inhabit sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. They are closely associated with dense forests, including lowland rainforests, montane forests, and mature woodlands.
While primarily residents, some individuals may undertake local movements in response to prey availability or seasonal changes in forest conditions.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 3,000 meters
Climate zones
Tropical, Subtropical
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Crowned Eagles are powerful predators, primarily targeting medium-sized mammals such as monkeys, small antelopes, and hyraxes.
They have been known to take prey up to their own body weight, using their immense strength to carry large animals to feeding sites.
Behaviour
Crowned Eagles are solitary hunters, employing a sit-and-wait strategy from concealed perches. They are known for their agility in forest environments, manoeuvring through dense canopies with remarkable skill.
These birds often perform spectacular aerial displays during courtship, including high-altitude soaring and dramatic dives.
Vocalisation
The Crowned Eagle's call is a series of loud, piercing whistles, often described as 'kwee-kwee-kwee' or 'weee-oh weee-oh'. These calls carry far through the forest and are often the first sign of the bird's presence. During courtship, pairs may engage in duets of high-pitched screams.
Nesting & Breeding
Crowned Eagles form monogamous pairs and engage in elaborate aerial courtship displays. Breeding typically occurs every two years, with peak activity varying by region.
Nests are massive structures of sticks, often exceeding 2 meters wide, built high in tall forest trees. Females usually lay a single egg, which is white with brown markings.
Incubation lasts about 49 days, primarily by the female. The nestling period is exceptionally long, lasting 90-110 days, with the young remaining dependent on their parents for several months after fledging.
Lifespan
years
The Crowned Eagle typically lives for 14 to 20 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
The Crowned Eagle faces threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and human encroachment. Conservation efforts focus on protecting large forest tracts and educating local communities about the importance of these apex predators in maintaining ecosystem balance.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them perched on tall trees at forest edges
- Listen for their distinctive, far-carrying whistling call
- Observe early mornings when they are most active
- Search for signs of large prey remains beneath potential nesting sites
- Use binoculars to spot their characteristic crest
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
African Crowned Eagle, Crowned Hawk-Eagle
Family:
AccipitridaePredators
Adult Crowned Eagles have few natural predators due to their size and strength. However, eggs and nestlings may be vulnerable to other large birds of prey and primates.
Did You Know?
- Crowned Eagles have been known to prey on young leopards and small antelope species weighing up to 20 kg.
- They have the largest talons of any African eagle, adapted for grasping and killing large prey.
- A nesting pair may use and maintain the same nest for several decades.
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FAQs
Do Crowned Eagles eat humans?
Crowned eagles are reportedly responsible for one of the world’s earliest ‘murder mysteries’ when the skull of the Taung Child was discovered in a quarry in South Africa. This 2.5 million-year-old skull was discovered with puncture wounds akin to that of eagle talons, and anthropologists now believe this pre-human child was likely killed by Crowned eagles.
There have been other cases of children being attacked or killed by Crowned eagles, but the odds of being attacked by one are extremely slim, especially compared to some of the other wildlife indigenous to the same parts of Africa as the Crowned eagle.
How do Crowned Eagles hunt?
Crowned eagles will hover at a great height of some 5,000 to 8,000ft, identifying prey before either swooping in at speeds in excess of 100mph (160 km/h) or landing on a nearby branch or perch and ambushing their target. When possible, Crowned eagles look to conserve energy when hunting, so they will avoid any unnecessary movement and practice ‘still-hunting’.
They aim to kill upon impact, either puncturing the skull or spine. Mated pairs often hunt together and share prey. Instead of consuming prey in-situ, they will often tear it into manageable pieces and carry it either to their nest or a nearby tree fork.
References
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website: BirdLife International. 2018. Stephanoaetus coronatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22696201A129914678.
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