The Bateleur eagle, scientifically known as Terathopius ecaudatus, is a medium-sized colorful eagle native to broad areas of Sub-Saharan Africa and scarcely up into Arabia. It is a highly aerial bird that spends much time soaring and is known for its distinctive appearance with a mostly brown body and large, powerful, black wings. The Bateleur is a mid-sized eagle and large raptor, likely the second heaviest of the Circaetinae subfamily of accipitrids.
The Maximum Height of a Bateleur Eagle
The total length of the Bateleur eagle can range from 55 to 70 cm (22 to 28 inches), with a typical length of a full-grown bird being around 63.5 cm (25.0 inches). This makes the Bateleur eagle a medium-sized eagle, not the largest but also not the smallest.
Wingspan and Body Mass of Bateleur Eagles
Image source: Bateleur Eagle By Bernard DUPONT
The wingspan of Bateleurs can vary from 168 to 190 cm (5 ft 6 in to 6 ft 3 in), which is quite impressive for a medium-sized eagle. The body mass of Bateleurs can vary from 1,800 to 3,000 g (4.0 to 6.6 lb), with an average of 2,200 g (4.9 lb) for unsexed bateleurs and a median body mass of 2,385 g (5.258 lb) cited in one study.
Sexual Dimorphism in Bateleur Eagles
The Bateleur eagle shows some sexual dimorphism, with females being larger than males. Among standard measurements, males have a wing chord length of 476 to 553 mm (18.7 to 21.8 in), while that of the female is 530 to 559 mm (20.9 to 22.0 in). In tail length, adult males measure 98 to 124 mm (3.9 to 4.9 in) and can be even shorter in adult females at 105 to 113 mm (4.1 to 4.4 in).
Bateleur Eagle Behavior and Habitat
Bateleurs are tree-nesting birds with a large home range and live in pairs but are territorial and generally live alone. They are generally silent but can produce a variety of barks and screams. These birds are active during the day, spending a considerable amount of time on the wing, and hunt from swift, direct gliding flight across the country or in wide sweeping circles. Bateleurs defend their territory by means of an aggressive attack flight pattern shown to intruding conspecifics.
Threats to Bateleur Eagles
Bateleurs are threatened by loss of habitat, pesticides, capture for international trade, and nest disturbance. In South Africa and Namibia, these birds are being trapped for their feathers to be used in medicine by traditional healers for predicting future events. The population has also decreased due to it feasting on poisoned animal carcasses being left out for other species.
In conclusion, the Bateleur eagle is a mid-sized eagle that can grow up to 70 cm (28 inches) in total length, with a wingspan of up to 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) and a body mass of up to 3,000 g (6.6 lb). It is a highly aerial bird that spends much time soaring and is known for its distinctive appearance. However, Bateleurs are facing various threats that have led to a decline in their overall population.
References:
– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bateleur
– https://animalia.bio/bateleur
– https://peregrinefund.org/explore-raptors-species/eagles/bateleur-eagle
