African Hawk Eagles do screech, but it’s not their primary call. Their most distinctive sound is a high-pitched, shrill ‘kluu-kluu-kluu’ call, which they use to communicate with their partners and during the courting ritual.

Unique Calls of African Hawk Eagles

The African Hawk Eagle is known for its unique and distinctive calls. While they do screech, this is not their primary vocalization. Instead, their most recognizable sound is a high-pitched, shrill ‘kluu-kluu-kluu’ call.

This call is so unique that it’s one of the primary ways to identify these birds in the wild. The ‘kluu-kluu-kluu’ sound is typically used by the birds to communicate with their mates and during the courting ritual, where the male and female fly around each other above the nest.

Appearance and Hunting Behavior

Image source: African Hawk-Eagle by Bernard DUPONT

African Hawk Eagles are medium-sized birds with a distinctive appearance. They have a medium-sized body, bright yellow eyes, and a unique plumage pattern of black and white feathers. These birds are known for their hunting prowess, using their sharp talons and hooked beak to catch and kill a variety of prey, including birds, small mammals, and reptiles.

Nesting and Breeding Habits

African Hawk Eagles are monogamous and have a unique courting ritual. During this ritual, the male and female birds fly around each other above the nest, making their distinctive ‘kluu-kluu-kluu’ calls. The male then dives towards the female, who shows her claws, before the mating ritual begins.

The nest is built by both the male and female birds on top of a tall structure, such as a tree or cliff. These nests can last for up to 60 years, making them a valuable resource for the birds.

Threats and Conservation Efforts

Despite their widespread range and categorization as a species of Least Concern, African Hawk Eagles face serious threats from habitat loss and human persecution. Farmers often shoot them due to their tendency to feed on domestic chickens and other fowl, and the loss of woodland trees also threatens their habitat.

Over the past few decades, African Hawk Eagles have become scarce to rare outside of protected areas across Africa. To conserve these birds and their habitat, the Peregrine Fund is conducting scientific research, habitat conservation, education, and community development efforts. They are also working to stop the common practice of poisoning carcasses, which can kill a host of wildlife, including vultures, eagles, and other scavenging birds.

Aggression and Behavior

African Hawk Eagles are highly unpredictable in terms of aggression, and it’s not recommended to approach them too closely. However, they are not typically aggressive towards humans unless their nests or young are threatened.

Conclusion

In conclusion, African Hawk Eagles do screech, but it’s not their primary call. Their most distinctive sound is a high-pitched, shrill ‘kluu-kluu-kluu’ call, which they use to communicate with their partners and during the courting ritual. These birds are known for their unique appearance, hunting behavior, and nesting habits, but they face serious threats from habitat loss and human persecution. Conservation efforts are necessary to protect these birds and their habitat.

References:
– African Hawk-Eagle: The Ultimate Guide – Operation Migration
– eBird African Hawk Eagle (Aquila spilogaster) Bird Call – YouTube
– African Hawk-eagle | The Peregrine Fund