Overview
With broad wings outstretched and a watchful gaze fixed on the ground below, the tawny eagle patrols Tanzania’s open savannahs in search of its next opportunity. This powerful raptor is both an active hunter and an accomplished scavenger, adapting its behaviour to whatever food is available.
Its plumage varies considerably, ranging from pale sandy brown to rich tawny or dark chocolate. This variation can make identification challenging, particularly when the bird is perched among other large brown eagles.
Tawny eagles hunt mammals, birds and reptiles, but they also visit carcasses and steal food from other raptors when the opportunity arises. Their flexible feeding habits once made them widespread across Africa’s dry landscapes, although populations have declined sharply in many areas.
Behaviour & How to Identify
Look for a large, heavily built eagle with broad wings, a relatively short rounded tail and feathering that extends down the legs to the toes. Adults usually have yellow eyes, a strong hooked bill and plumage that may be pale, medium brown or very dark.
They are highly opportunistic feeders. A tawny eagle may drop onto a rodent, hare, reptile or ground bird, gather with vultures and other eagles at a carcass, or chase another bird until it releases its meal. They sometimes feed alongside other raptors, but this is usually driven by a concentrated food source rather than social cooperation.
Pairs build large stick nests, most commonly in the crown of a tree. A nest may be repaired and reused in later breeding seasons, gradually becoming larger, although pairs may also alternate between several nest sites.
Interesting facts
Their plumage is extraordinarily variable. Pale, tawny and dark individuals all occur, making this one of the more difficult large eagles to identify by colour alone.
They frequently steal food from other predators. Tawny eagles may pursue smaller raptors or take advantage of prey disturbed by mammals, fires or human activity.
They are hunters as well as scavengers. Live prey includes mammals, birds and reptiles, while carrion provides an important additional food source.