Martial eagle

Introduction: Martial eagles (Polemaetus bellicosus) soar impressively over flat country with characteristic open woodland, shrubland or farmland. They are rare in mountainous regions. Pylons, poles and tall trees are favoured night-time roosting locations.

Distribution: Throughout Namibia including Etosha National Park, Caprivi, Namib Desert, Fish River Canyon and Kalahari Desert.

Diet: Hunts on the wing or perches undercover at waterholes to attack larger birds coming to drink. Prey includes mammals, birds, reptiles such as hares, rabbits, warthog, Chacma baboon, Black-backed jackals, bat-eared fox, rabbits, ground squirrel, pangolin, aardwolf, fruit-bats, hornbills, rock monitor, Egyptian cobra, terrapins and tortoises.

Description: Africa's largest eagle with characteristic long, broad wings, shortish tail, strong bill, long legs and toes adapted to catch fast-moving prey in open habitats up to the size of a small antelope. Polemaetus is Greek for 'war-like eagle' and bellicosus is Latin also for 'war-like'.

Breeding: Only 1 egg is laid in large stick nest between April and August and incubated for around 50 days.

Size: 80cm.

Weight: 3.3kg.

Wingspan: 2.4m.