The Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax) is a large bird of prey found in Africa, both north and south of the Sahara desert. While it is known for its strong soaring abilities and can fly at elevations of 600 – 2400 metres (1,968 – 14,760 feet), the exact speed at which the Tawny Eagle flies is not clearly specified in the available information.
Tawny Eagle’s Flight Characteristics
Tawny Eagles are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night. They are known for their silent nature, but males will emit a crow-like barking or ‘kwok kwok’ noise when displaying to a female or when aggravated.
Tawny Eagles are monogamous and pair for life. During the mating season, males perform undulating displays and mutual soaring displays in the air before mating occurs. They build their nests, made from sticks and twigs, in trees or on the ground, and lay 1 – 3 eggs.
Physical Characteristics of the Tawny Eagle
Image source: Tawny Eagle by Bernard DUPONT
The Tawny Eagle measures 65 – 72 centimeters (25.59 to 28.35 inches) in length and weighs 1.6 – 2.4 kilograms (3.5 – 5.3 pounds). It has a large wingspan of 1.72 – 1.85 meters (5.64 – 6.07 feet). The female is typically larger than the male, but both sexes have tawny colored upperparts with black flight feathers and tail, and a paler lower back area.
Tawny Eagle’s Flight Speed Compared to Other Birds of Prey
While the Tawny Eagle is known for its strong soaring abilities, it is not considered one of the fastest birds of prey. In comparison, the Peregrine Falcon is known to reach speeds of over 240 miles per hour during its hunting stoop, and the Bald Eagle has a top speed of around 100 miles per hour during its hunting stoop.
Factors Affecting the Tawny Eagle’s Flight Speed
The Tawny Eagle’s flight speed is likely influenced by several factors, such as:
- Hunting Behavior: Tawny Eagles are known to be more focused on soaring and scanning the ground for prey, rather than engaging in high-speed hunting maneuvers.
- Body Size and Wingspan: The Tawny Eagle’s large size and wingspan may contribute to its slower flight speeds compared to smaller, more agile birds of prey.
- Habitat and Terrain: The Tawny Eagle’s habitat, which includes both open and wooded areas, may require it to adapt its flight speed and maneuverability to navigate different environments.
Conclusion
While the exact flight speed of the Tawny Eagle is not clearly specified, it is evident that this large bird of prey is not considered one of the fastest flyers among birds of prey. Its strong soaring abilities and silent nature make it a unique and fascinating species to observe in its natural habitat.
References:
– Tawny Eagle – Facts, Diet & Habitat Information – Animal Corner. Retrieved from https://animalcorner.org/animals/tawny-eagle/
– Tawny Eagles (Aquila rapax) Information | Earth Life. Retrieved from https://earthlife.net/tawny-eagles/
– Tawny Eagle vs Bald Eagle: See Who Wins – Animal Matchup. Retrieved from https://www.animalmatchup.com/vs/tawny-eagle-vs-bald-eagle
– Tawny eagle – Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio. Retrieved from https://animalia.bio/tawny-eagle/1000
– The Recovery Journey of a Tawny Eagle – The Kenya Bird of Prey Trust. Retrieved from https://www.kenyabirdofpreytrust.org/post/the-recovery-journey-of-a-tawny-eagle
