Crested Eagles, also known as Morphnus guianensis, are large Neotropical eagles known for their intelligence and hunting skills. They are the only members of the genus Morphnus and can grow up to 89 cm in length. Crested Eagles have a large head with an extended feather crest, bare legs, and a sizable tarsus length of 10.3 to 11.2 cm. The tail is fairly long, measuring 34 to 43 cm in length, and the wings are quite short for the eagle’s size but are broad and rounded.

Hunting Techniques and Problem-Solving Skills

Crested Eagles are highly intelligent birds that are known for their diverse hunting techniques. They have been observed:

• Perching patiently under or nearby fruiting trees to wait for hungry guans or monkeys to come by and feed
• Hunting by flying from perch to perch inside the canopy or at lower levels of trees to scare up prey
• Using tools, such as using a stick to poke at a snake’s head to distract it while they attack

These observations suggest that Crested Eagles have a good understanding of cause and effect and can use their environment to their advantage, demonstrating their problem-solving skills.

Social Behavior and Cognitive Abilities

Image source: Long-crested eagle By Charles J. Sharp

Crested Eagles are known for their social behavior, which is unusual for raptors. They have been observed:

• Forming alliances with other raptors, such as the Harpy Eagle
• Bringing food to fledgling Harpy Eagles

This behavior suggests a high level of intelligence and social awareness in Crested Eagles.

In terms of cognitive abilities, Crested Eagles have been observed to have:

• Good memory, able to remember the locations of food sources
• Understanding of spatial relationships, able to navigate their environment effectively
• Ability to understand object permanence, knowing that an object still exists even when it is out of sight

These cognitive abilities demonstrate the intelligence of Crested Eagles.

Vocalizations and Physical Abilities

Crested Eagles are known for their distinctive vocalizations, which consist of a pair of high whistles, with the second whistle being higher pitched than the first. This call is used for communication and is often heard during the breeding season.

In terms of physical abilities, Crested Eagles are powerful fliers and are able to soar for long periods of time. They have also been observed to be agile hunters, able to maneuver through dense forests and navigate around obstacles with ease.

Conclusion

Crested Eagles are highly intelligent birds that are known for their hunting skills, social behavior, memory, problem-solving skills, and cognitive abilities. They are able to navigate their environment effectively, understand cause and effect, and communicate with other raptors using vocalizations. Their physical abilities, such as their powerful flight and agile hunting, make them formidable predators in their environment.

References:
– The Peregrine Fund. (2021). Crested Eagle | The Peregrine Fund. Retrieved from https://peregrinefund.org/explore-raptors-species/eagles/crested-eagle/
– Wikipedia. (2022). Long-crested eagle. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-crested_eagle
– Animalia.bio. (n.d.). Crested eagle – Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio. Retrieved from https://animalia.bio/crested-eagle
– Reddit. (2020). A crested eagle tangled up with a snake in battle : r/NatureIsFuckingLit. Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/NatureIsFuckingLit/comments/jvb4k6/a_crested_eagle_tangled_up_with_a_snake_in_battle/
– The Peregrine Fund. (n.d.). Long-crested Eagle | The Peregrine Fund. Retrieved from https://peregrinefund.org/explore-raptors-species/eagles/long-crested-eagle/