Tawny eagles are large birds of prey found in Africa, and they are known to prey on a variety of small animals, including rabbits. These opportunistic predators have a diverse diet that includes both fresh kills and scavenged carrion.
Tawny Eagles and Their Prey
Tawny eagles are known to actively hunt and kill small animals, such as rabbits, as part of their diet. In fact, rabbits can make up a significant portion of their prey, with some studies showing that they can account for up to 89.2% of the diet by number and 86% by biomass.
The introduction of the European rabbit to Australia has been beneficial to the wedge-tailed eagle, another species of eagle, which has taken to the rabbits as prey and usually constitutes the bulk of the prey species in most, if not all, Australian food studies.
Tawny eagles are opportunistic predators and scavengers, and they are known to steal prey from other raptors, a behavior known as kleptoparasitism. They can be observed alongside other large raptors, such as vultures, ripping into carcasses.
Physical Characteristics of Tawny Eagles
Image source: Tawny Eagle by Bernard DUPONT
Tawny eagles are endothermic, homoiothermic, and bilateral symmetry. They have acute eyesight and hearing, which helps them locate prey when hunting. They measure 65 – 72 centimeters in length and weigh 1.6 – 2.4 kilograms, with a large wingspan of 1.72 – 1.85 meters. Females are typically larger than males but similar in appearance.
Habitat and Nesting Behavior
Tawny eagles prefer open dry habitats such as deserts, steppes, open grasslands, savannas, and mountainous regions. They tend to avoid dense forests as these may restrict their movement.
In terms of reproduction, tawny eagles are monogamous and pair for life. Before mating occurs, the male performs undulating displays and then mutual soaring displays take place in the air. The pairs or the single male will perform high circling flying over the nesting site, sometimes with the male performing ‘pot hooks’, which involves dives and swoops with little wing flapping. The female may turn over and present her claws in response to the male swooping over her. Males and females may lock claws in flight.
Conservation Status
It is worth noting that the tawny eagle is currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN list of Threatened species. There was a clear decrease in tawny eagle sightings between SABAP and SABAP2 in Southern Africa, occurring in only 323 of 1440 quarter degree grid cells.
In conclusion, tawny eagles are known to prey on rabbits, among other small animals and carrion, as part of their diverse diet. They are opportunistic predators and scavengers, with a diet that primarily relies on fresh kills and scavenged carrion. Understanding the feeding habits and habitat preferences of tawny eagles is crucial for their conservation efforts.
