African hawk eagles, also known as crowned eagles, are large birds of prey found in sub-Saharan Africa. They are known for their powerful legs and large talons, which they use to crush the skulls of their prey. However, the idea that they cannot release their talons once they have clamped down on something is a myth. Contrary to popular belief, African hawk eagles can open and close their talons at will.

The Myth of Locked Talons

The myth that eagles cannot release their talons once they have clamped down on something is a common misconception. This belief likely stems from the fact that eagles have very strong grip strength and can hold onto their prey with great force. However, this does not mean that they are unable to open their talons.

The Truth About African Hawk Eagle Talons

Image source: African Hawk-Eagle by Bernard DUPONT

African hawk eagles, like other eagles, are capable of opening and closing their talons at will. When an eagle grabs onto a fish or other prey that is too heavy to fly with, it may choose to swim to shore rather than letting go. This is not because the eagle is unable to release its talons, but rather because it has decided that the meal is worth the effort of swimming.

Powerful Hunting Abilities

The African hawk eagle is considered to be the most powerful eagle in Africa, with respect to the size of its prey. It has been known to prey on ungulates as large as bushbuck, which can weigh up to 30 kg (66 lb). However, the eagle’s diet consists of at least 90 percent mammals, with a preference for small ungulates such as dik-dik, duikers, chevrotains, suni, and Royal antelope.

Diverse Prey Selection

In addition to small ungulates, African hawk eagles will also take meerkats, mongooses, mustelids, rats, and rock hyraxes, as well as primates such as young or smaller baboons, bushbabies, colobus, mangabeys, or vervet monkeys. Birds and large lizards are barely taken.

Hunting Techniques

African hawk eagles are known for their powerful hunting techniques. They use their strong talons to crush the skulls of their prey, and their sharp beaks to tear the flesh. They are also skilled at ambushing their prey from above, swooping down and snatching their target with their talons.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the African hawk eagle is a powerful bird of prey with strong legs and large talons, it is capable of releasing its talons at will. The myth that eagles cannot release their talons once they have clamped down on something is not true. Eagles, including the African hawk eagle, can open and close their talons at will, and will only choose to swim to shore with heavy prey if they deem the meal worth the effort.

References:
– Do eagles return to dropped prey? – Quora
– Ever wonder how big an eagle talon is? : r/pics – Reddit
– question on bald eagle talons – BirdForum
– Eagle Flight and Other Myths, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
– Crowned eagle – Wikipedia
– Crowned Hawk-eagle | The Peregrine Fund