Long crested eagle
Lophaetus occipitalisIntroduction: The life of long-crested eagles (Lophaetus occipitalis) are often ended earlier than other birds by their tendency to be electrocuted on power lines or killed in collisions with vehicles. Favoured habitats include woodland close to marshes, rivers and grassland.
Distribution: Caprivi, Kwando River, Chobe River, Victoria Falls.
Diet: Hunts early morning or late afternoon for small prey which is swallowed whole. Cane rats, striped mice and other rodents are eaten.
Description: Occipitalis is Latin for 'of the back of the head' a reference to the feathers on the back of the head, elongated into a long, floppy crest, hence the name.
Breeding: Only 1 or 2 eggs are laid year-round in a stick cup lined with leaves and incubated for around 42 days.
Size: 58cm.
Weight: 1.2kg.
Wingspan: 1.2m.
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