Description
Life span: 16 years
Large and black, the Verreaux’s eagle is an eagle. There is a white V-shaped pattern on its back. There are additional white patches on the wings. The eyes are brown, and the feet are yellow. Adult birds can weigh anywhere from 6.5 and 11 pounds. The wingspan can measure up to 6.5 feet (2 meters). Young Verreaux’s Eagles often have lighter coloration, a black face, and a mix of light and dark brown. Before reaching adulthood, they quickly transform from their fluffy white down coat that they are born with into a magnificent mix of brown, black, tan, and white.
Native Region/Habitat
Only find them in Africa. The Verreaux’s eagle is a rare bird outside of its native range and has particular habitat needs. It inhabits arid, rocky kopjes, which are frequently flanked by savanna, thornbush, and sub-desert and range in height from rocky hills to high mountains. It is typically found in dry regions with less than 60 cm of yearly rainfall.
Behavior
The majority of their time is spent close to mountain ranges, rocky outcrops, caves, and ravines by Verreaux’s eagles. They frequently perch on rocks when they are not soaring effortlessly through the air. Hyraxes are the main prey item for Verreaux’s eagles, but they also take small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
The only time a Verreaux’s Eagle will reproduce with a different partner is if the first partner passes away. Egg-laying takes place between April and July, and mating happens all year long. Verreaux’s Eagles lay one to two eggs in each clutch. While the male supplies sustenance, the female incubates the eggs for 38–41 days. Normally, two eggs deposited at the same time hatch around four days apart. The younger chick will typically be attacked and tormented by the elder chick until it dies. Due to this, Verreaux’s Eagles infrequently raise two chicks despite laying two eggs. The last-living chick leaves the nest at 12 weeks and is chased from the area by its parents.
As a pet/In captivity
They are inappropriate as pets. Eagles are savage predators that are incredibly challenging to train.
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