Size: These birds are very large and
can stand 1 to 1.2m tall and have a wingspan of 2 to 2.5m. Females are
slightly larger than males.
Identification: The wedge-tailed
eagle has mostly black plummage. The nape, wing coverts and undertail
coverts are grey brown. Immatures have brown upper parts. This
eagle gains its name from its large, wedge-shaped tail.
Call/Song: Makes a repeated whistle,
yessir, as well as a loud screech similar to a cat.
Found
throughout Australia.
Habitat:Found
in most types of habitats; uses rocks, crags, trees etc, for perches.
Feeding: Eats birds and many small
mammals (up to the size of a wallaby!)
Breeding/Nesting: Breeding
season is April to september; nests can be seen in trees of just about
any height and are sometimes built close to the ground.
Movement: Usually a solitary animal
which covers extremely large distances when hunting. Eagles have excellent
vision and can soar to great heights and then quickly swoop down to
catch their prey.
|
Photo:
Queensland DEH
Photo:
Queensland DEH
|
Other
Common Names: Eagle hawk.
Status:
Distribution:
Usually
seen high in flight, often close to some of the craggy bluffs around Lamington
plateau.
Abundance:Common
throughout the year but generally unobtrusive and scattered throughout
the area.
Queensland Museum
(1995) Wildlife of Greater Brisbane, Queensland Museum, Brisbane.
Reader's Digest Services
(1979) Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds, Surry
Hills, NSW.
Nielsen, L (1991)
Birds
of Lamington National Park and Envrions, Beudesert Times, Queensland. |
