Martial eagles (Polemaetus bellicosus) are known for their powerful hunting abilities and are found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, preferring open habitats such as savanna, steppe, semidesert, and scrubby woodlands. They are the largest eagles in Africa, with adults ranging in size from 78 to 96 cm in length, weighing between 3.1 and 6.2 kg, and having a wingspan from 188 to 260 cm.

Do Martial Eagles Screech?

No, martial eagles do not screech. Instead, they make a loud, distinctive cry of kwi-kwi-kluee-kluee during their mating season. This call is not a screech, as commonly associated with eagles, but rather a series of short, staccato sounds, as if they were wheezing words to each other in a hyperactive cadence.

The Misconception of Eagles Screeching

Image source: Martial eagle by Charles J. Sharp

In contrast, red-tailed hawks, which are often mistakenly associated with the “SCREEEE!” sound, produce a more piercing, high-pitched sound that resembles a screech. This misconception may have arisen due to the use of red-tailed hawk calls in movies and TV shows to represent eagles, leading people to believe that eagles make similar sounds.

Martial Eagles’ Vocalizations

Martial eagles are generally silent, but during their mating season, they make a distinctive call to communicate with their mates. This call is a series of short, staccato sounds that resemble a wheezing or whining sound, rather than a loud, piercing screech.

Mating Season Calls

The martial eagle’s mating call is a series of kwi-kwi-kluee-kluee sounds, which they use to attract mates and establish their territory during the breeding season. These calls are not as loud or piercing as the screeches of other eagle species, but they serve an important function in the martial eagle’s social and reproductive behaviors.

Hunting and Feeding Calls

In addition to their mating calls, martial eagles may also make other vocalizations during hunting and feeding activities. These calls are typically softer and more subdued, and they may be used to communicate with other members of their social group or to signal the presence of prey.

Comparison to Other Eagle Species

While martial eagles do not screech, other eagle species, such as the red-tailed hawk, are known for their distinctive screeching calls. These calls are often used in media to represent the sound of eagles, even though they are not accurate representations of the martial eagle’s vocalizations.

Red-Tailed Hawk Calls

The red-tailed hawk is a common North American raptor that is often mistaken for an eagle. Its call is a high-pitched, piercing SCREEEE! that is quite different from the martial eagle’s more subdued, wheezing calls. This misconception may have contributed to the widespread belief that all eagles screech.

Bald Eagle Calls

Another eagle species that is often associated with a distinctive call is the bald eagle. While bald eagles do make a variety of vocalizations, including a loud, piercing klee-klee-klee call, these sounds are also quite different from the martial eagle’s mating calls.

Conclusion

In summary, martial eagles do not screech, but rather make a series of short, staccato kwi-kwi-kluee-kluee sounds during their mating season. This misconception may have arisen due to the use of other eagle species’ calls in media to represent the martial eagle’s vocalizations. Understanding the unique characteristics of the martial eagle’s calls can help to dispel this common myth and provide a more accurate understanding of this impressive bird of prey.

References:
– Wikipedia – Martial Eagle
– Animal Diversity Web – Martial Eagle
– Creatures of the World Wiki – Martial Eagle
– Reddit – How would you spell an eagle screech?
– YouTube – Martial Eagle Call