African Hawk Eagles, scientifically known as Aquila spilogaster, are diurnal birds of prey, meaning they are primarily active during the day and sleep at night. Their exceptional eyesight, which is about eight times stronger than that of humans, allows them to hunt efficiently during the day. However, they have poor vision in darkness, which is why they avoid flying at night.
Hunting Strategies of African Hawk Eagles
African Hawk Eagles have a varied diet, consisting of birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects. They have several hunting strategies, including:
- Perching and waiting for prey to pass by
- Flying quickly through trees to flush out prey
- Soaring high to stoop onto their prey
Nesting and Breeding Behavior
Image source: African Hawk-Eagle by Bernard DUPONT
These eagles build large nests composed of sticks, which they place high up in trees. The female lays 1-2 eggs, which must be incubated for around 43 days. When the eaglets hatch, they are covered in dark grey down and practice siblicide, where the older nestling kills its younger sibling. The surviving nestling grows quickly and is fed by the mother, who tears off small pieces of meat for the nestling and delicately feeds it with her bill.
Habitat and Distribution
African Hawk Eagles are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, preferring dry, woodland habitats, open savannas dotted with trees, and riparian forests. They are relatively small, diurnal, non-migratory birds of prey and play an essential role in their environment as top predators and umbrella species.
Conservation Efforts
Peregrine Fund biologists are currently studying African Hawk Eagles to better understand the causes for their decline across Africa. They are GPS tracking the movements of five hawk-eagles in Kenya, studying their reproductive rates, and working to protect all raptors and their habitats in Kenya through environmental education efforts and community development.
Conclusion
In summary, African Hawk Eagles are diurnal birds of prey that sleep at night due to their poor vision in darkness. They have a varied diet and several hunting strategies, build large nests, and practice siblicide. These eagles are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa and play a crucial role in their ecosystem. Conservation efforts are underway to understand and protect these remarkable birds.
References:
– Why do hawks avoid to fly at night? – Quora. https://www.quora.com/Why-do-hawks-avoid-to-fly-at-night
– African Hawk-eagle – Aquila spilogaster – Carnivora. https://carnivora.net/african-hawk-eagle-aquila-spilogaster-t7795.html
– African Hawk-eagle | The Peregrine Fund. https://peregrinefund.org/explore-raptors-species/eagles/african-hawk-eagle
