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Tawny Eagle

Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 12:19 pm
by Dewi
Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax

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Tawny Eagles are a widespread species ranging throughout the palearctic and eithiopian regions, breeding from Rumania through Southern Russia and eastwrds to Mongolia, South into India and throughout much of Africa. In Southern Africa they are absent from the South and far West, but are widespread in the North in suitable habitat.

Although preferring arid areas, they ocurr in a wide variety of habitats from desserts, savannah, open grassland, thornveld and mountains from 600m to 4500m in elevation.

Females are larger and heavier than males.

They have a variety of plumage phases, from pale blonde through to dark brown and these forms are described as; pale, rufous, streaked, medium pale and dark.

Pale form.
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Streaked form.
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Mating for life, Tawny Eagles breed from March through to September in this region. Nests are built in the crown of a thornbush or tree and two eggs are usually laid which are incubated for 39 to 44 days. The chicks fledge after 76 t0 85 days and are independant after around 120 days. They mature after 3 to 4 years.

Tawny Eagles are generalist and will take a variety of prey from small insects such as termites, small mammals and birds. They often feed on carrion and will also rob other species of their prey.

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Please post any photographs or information you have on this species.

Re: Tawny Eagle - Bird of the Month September 2013

Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 1:25 pm
by Toko
Tawny Eagle near Punda Maria

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Now which one is the larger female :-?

Re: Tawny Eagle - Bird of the Month September 2013

Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 4:00 pm
by Toko
Call

Tawny Eagle is usually silent, except during courtship displays or when attacked. During breeding season, it gives a kind of repeated bark, described as a sharp kowk-kwok, similar to corvidae’s call. Occasionally tawny eagles will call during acts of piracy. Females may call from the nest, soliciting food.

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Re: Tawny Eagle - Bird of the Month September 2013

Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 8:40 pm
by Mel
Some close-up opportunities:

Poor guy with a broken beak
Image 23/03/2010

Snooty one -O
Image 23/04/2011

Certainly don't want to mess with that beak :shock:
Image 28/10/2012

All seen in the Kgalagadi \O

Re: Tawny Eagle - Bird of the Month September 2013

Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 9:48 pm
by Duke
Good choice and introduction Dewi \O

We had a great sighting of a Tawny taking a bath at Mpondo Dam in Kruger in April 2011

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Re: Tawny Eagle - Bird of the Month September 2013

Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 6:19 pm
by Duke
Seen at 14 Borehole KTP in October 2011

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Re: Tawny Eagle - Bird of the Month September 2013

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 9:41 pm
by Dewi
Great photos Toko, Mel & Duke. O/\ \O ^Q^

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Re: Tawny Eagle - Bird of the Month September 2013

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 9:46 pm
by Mel
Same back to you, Dewi \O

Do you happen to know why it is that Tawnies appear in so many colours?
I tried to google it but couldn't find any satisfying answer. Well, I couldn't
find anything in that respect. :O^

Re: Tawny Eagle - Bird of the Month September 2013

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 11:43 pm
by Dewi
Some interesting reading for you here Mel. \O

link

Re: Tawny Eagle - Bird of the Month September 2013

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:15 pm
by nan
Kruger April 2011 - Tihongonyeni

Image :-?
+White-Headed Vulture
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