The Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax) is a striking raptor native to Australia. Its impressive size and distinctive wedge-shaped tail make it a majestic sight in the sky. Often called the Eaglehawk, the Wedge-tailed Eagle is also known as Waalitj by the Noongar people.
As Australia’s largest bird of prey, it can have a wingspan of up to 2.8 meters. Observing this eagle soaring high is a breathtaking experience, as it commands respect and admiration. Beyond its grandeur, the Wedge-tailed Eagle plays a vital role in balancing local wildlife populations, helping to maintain a healthy ecosystem.
Description
The Wedge-tailed Eagle has a length ranging from 85 to 106 cm and a wingspan of 185 to 230 cm. Females, generally larger than males, weigh between 3.9 and 5.8 kg. Their plumage varies from glossy black to blackish brown, complemented by sandy to reddish brown wing coverts.
This eagle is notable for its long, wedge-shaped tail and fully feathered legs, which enhance its majestic appearance. Young eagles start with lighter, reddish plumage that deepens into darker tones as they mature. Its impressive size and vivid plumage make the Wedge-tailed Eagle a standout in the skies.
Habitat
The Wedge-tailed Eagle is a majestic bird found throughout Australia, including Tasmania and southern New Guinea. It thrives in a variety of landscapes, from lightly wooded country to open desert woodlands. These impressive raptors adapt well to diverse environments, soaring over farmlands or perching atop trees in search of prey.
Their wide geographic range shows their ability to find suitable habitats across different terrains. In Australia, they are particularly prevalent in the outback regions. Here, their keen eyesight and powerful talons make them formidable hunters.
Diet
The Wedge-tailed Eagle's diet showcases its adaptability across Australia's landscapes. These eagles hunt a variety of prey, whether live or scavenged. Historically, they preyed on medium-sized mammals like wallabies and bandicoots. Nowadays, they also hunt feral rabbits, foxes, and cats. Rabbits and hares make up a significant part of their diet, ranging from 30% to 70%, and sometimes even up to 98%.
During nesting season, a pair of eagles can bring around 200 rabbits to feed their chicks. This predation helps manage rabbit populations, protecting grazing lands that support 12 to 16 sheep per hectare. When rabbit numbers decline, eagles switch to more native prey.
Carrion, such as roadkills and carcasses, is another major food source for them. Reports of eagles scavenging on lambs often stem from them feeding on deceased animals. In agricultural areas, they might opportunistically eat lamb or calf afterbirth.
Behavior
The Wedge-tailed Eagle has fascinating behavior. They build massive nests high in trees, using sticks and lining them with green eucalypt leaves. These nests are impressive, often measuring up to two meters across, three meters deep, and weighing more than 400 kilograms. Smaller birds, like finches, sometimes nest underneath these structures, benefiting from the eagles' protection against predators.
Breeding season runs from late June to mid-September. Wedge-tailed Eagles usually lay two eggs, influenced by local food availability. After 45 days of incubation, chicks emerge covered in white down. While two to three eggs might be laid, typically only one chick survives due to competition for food.
Wedge-tailed Eagles mate for life and defend their hunting grounds and nests fiercely. Their courtship involves spectacular aerobatic displays, with pairs soaring and diving together. They are also quite vocal, with their loud piping “psee-eew” and hoarse yelps echoing through their territories.
These eagles primarily feed on mammals such as rabbits, hares, kangaroos, and wallabies, but their diet can also include large birds and lizards. Remarkably, they can lift up to 50% of their body weight when hunting large prey like adult kangaroos.
Conservation Status
The Wedge-tailed Eagle is moderately common in some regions and less so in others. Their population has fluctuated due to various threats. In the early to mid-1900s, farmers wrongly blamed these eagles for killing sheep and lambs, leading to widespread hunting. Bounties were offered, resulting in tens of thousands of eagles being killed. It’s now known that they only attack sick or dead lambs and don't pose a significant threat to the sheep industry.
Today, the primary threats to Wedge-tailed Eagles include habitat loss from tree-clearing, loss of nesting sites, secondary poisoning from eating poisoned rabbits, and collisions with wires, fences, and vehicles. The Tasmanian subspecies face severe danger due to substantial habitat loss, with at least 40% of forests and dry woodlands cleared since settlement.
These majestic birds are now protected under wildlife conservation acts, making it illegal to harm or disturb them without proper authorization. This protection has helped stabilize their numbers, but ongoing efforts are vital. Did you know the Wedge-tailed Eagle can live up to 20 years in the wild? Preserving their habitat and ensuring their safety is critical to their survival.
Fun Facts
The Wedge-tailed Eagle can soar up to 6,800 meters (22,300 feet) and spot prey from 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away. With a lifespan of 30 to 45 years, they have plenty of time to perfect their hunting skills.
They are the faunal emblem of the Northern Territory and New South Wales and the mascot of the Australian rules football team, the West Coast Eagles. These eagles are known to attack hang-gliders and paragliders that enter their territory. They are also referred to as eaglehawks.
Their scientific name translates to "bold eagle" in Latin.
Human Interactions & Conservation
In Indigenous culture, particularly among the Noongar people, the Wedge-tailed Eagle symbolizes strength and spirit. This bird is deeply respected and holds significant cultural importance.
However, the species faces serious threats. Habitat loss from logging and land clearing, along with dangers like collisions with infrastructure and poisoning, puts their survival at risk. These issues are a growing concern for conservationists.
