Crowned eagles (Stephanoaetus coronatus) are large, powerful birds of prey that inhabit a variety of habitats across sub-Saharan Africa. They are known for their striking appearance, with a crowned head and a mottled chest, as well as their strong, agile flight and powerful hunting skills. When it comes to attracting a mate, crowned eagles have a number of unique behaviors and adaptations that help them find a suitable partner.

Elaborate Courtship Displays

One of the key ways that crowned eagles attract a mate is through their elaborate courtship displays. Males will fly high into the air and swoop down, only to climb back up again, flapping their wings quickly and calling out loudly as they reach the peak of each climb. This display is intended to impress the female and show off the male’s strength and agility. If the female is sufficiently wooed, she may join the male in the air, and the two may lock talons and cartwheel down towards the ground before releasing each other at the last second. This pre-copulation display is a sign of the strong bond that crowned eagles form with their mates, as they are monogamous and pair for life.

Vocalizations

Image source: crowned eagle

In addition to their aerial displays, crowned eagles also use vocalizations to communicate with potential mates. Males have a higher-pitched call than females, and they use these calls to establish and defend their territory, as well as to attract a mate. The female’s call is lower and more guttural, and she may use it to respond to the male’s calls or to communicate with him during the breeding season.

Hunting Skills

Crowned eagles also use their powerful hunting skills to attract a mate. They are skilled hunters that use their stealth and agility to swoop down on unsuspecting prey from above. Males may use their hunting skills to provide food for the female during the breeding season, demonstrating their ability to provide for a mate and offspring.

Nest Building and Territoriality

When it comes to nesting, crowned eagles are highly territorial and will defend their nests aggressively. They build large, bulky nests in the main fork of a tree, often lining them with green leaves. The female will lay one or two eggs, which are white with brownish flecks. She will incubate the eggs for approximately 49 days, with the male filling in on occasion. If two eggs are successfully hatched, the weaker of the two will not last, as the stronger chick will outcompete it for food.

In conclusion, crowned eagles have a number of unique behaviors and adaptations that help them attract a mate and form a strong bond with their partner. From their elaborate aerial displays and vocalizations to their powerful hunting skills and territorial behavior, these birds are truly remarkable creatures that are well-adapted to life in the wild.

References:

• Birding Raptor Guide Kruger Park Birding. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://birding.krugerpark.co.za/birding-in-kruger-raptor-eagles.html
• Poole, A. F., & Pimm, S. L. (1978). Breeding Behavior of the Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja). The Auk, 95(4), 629-643.
• Storyteller Travel. (2021). 21 Crowned Eagle Facts: Guide to Africa’s Strongest Eagle. Retrieved from https://storyteller.travel/crowned-eagle/
• Wikipedia. (2021). Crowned Eagle. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowned_eagle.