The crested eagle, scientifically known as Morphnus guianensis, is a large but slender eagle found in the humid lowland forests of Central and South America. They are known for their distinctive crest, which is raised when the bird is alarmed. The crested eagle is a powerful avian predator, with a diet primarily consisting of small mammals, such as monkeys, rodents, and opossums. However, birds, including jays, trumpeters, guans, and male cocks-of-the-rock, also make up a significant portion of their diet.

The Life Cycle of a Crested Eagle

The life cycle of a crested eagle can be divided into the following stages:

Creștere și cuibărit

• The breeding season of the crested eagle is from March-April, during the borderline between the dry season and the wet season in the neotropics.
• They breed in pairs and construct huge nests with a shallow cup, typically in the main fork of a large tree and often concealed near the canopy in greenery.
• The female lays between 1 and 2 eggs in a clutch, with an interval of several days between each egg.
• The eggs hatch after an incubation period of around 35 days.

Dezvoltarea puiului

• The chicks are born altricial, without feathers and with eyes closed, and rely on both parents for incubation and feeding.
• The chicks begin to develop feathers at around 21 days old.
• The chicks fledge after 2 months and are often seen soaring with adults for some time.

Comportamentul teritorial

• The crested eagle is a solitary bird, but during breeding, they stay in a dedicated pair that often mates for life.
• Each pair engages in a territorial display over the fringes of their home range, with aerial displays involving exaggerated poises and loop-the-loop turns in the air.
• The female is usually larger than the male and has darker legs, while the males tend to have very white legs.

Durata de viață și longevitate

• The lifespan and longevity of crested eagles in the wild is unknown, but they may live up to 50 years in captivity.

Habitat și stare de conservare

Sursa imaginii: Vulturul cu creasta lungă De Charles J. Sharp

• The crested eagle is sparsely distributed throughout its extensive range, from northern Guatemala to north Argentina.
• They are believed to no longer occur in several former breeding areas due to habitat destruction, and are currently classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN.
• The crested eagle is highly affected by habitat destruction, as they seem to have a high dependence on sprawling forest.
• They are also occasionally hunted by local people and may be shot on sight if discovered while perched.

In conclusion, the crested eagle is a powerful and elusive predator, with a life cycle centered around solitary behavior and territorial displays during breeding. Their dependence on sprawling forest and sensitivity to habitat destruction make them a species of concern, with a conservation status of Near Threatened.

Referinte:
– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changeable_hawk-eagle
– https://naturebackin.com/2020/02/06/urban-raptors-long-crested-eagle/
– https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Spilornis_cheela/
– https://carnivora.net/crested-eagle-morphnus-guianensis-t3750.html