Bateleur Eagle {Terathopius Ecaudatus}

The Bateleur eagle is the most famous of the snake eagles. Its pitch black feathers with white under the wings, bright red face and legs and black beak are characteristic markings. The female Bateleur eagles are larger than males.

Bateleur eagles pair for life and stay in the same nest for several years. Unpaired adults can sometimes be seen near a nest site. The unpaired bird is not rejected by the mating pair but it does not help with nesting.

Quick Facts

Name: Terathopius ecaudatus

Diet Description: Diet includes mice, birds, antelope, snakes, and carrion (dead or decaying animal).

Habitat: The Bateleur Eagle prefers tree and brush savanna.

Distribution: Found throughout Africa, south of the Sahara, including South Africa.

Socialisation: Bateleur eagles pair for life and stay in the same nest for several years. Unpaired adults can sometimes be seen near a nest site. The unpaired bird is not rejected by the mating pair but it does not help with nesting.

Reproduction: A female will lay a single egg in the nest that sits in a large tree that offers protection. Mother incubates the egg while father collects food and sticks for the nest. Sometimes the father incubates. After an incubation period of 50-60 days the baby Bateleur eagle hatches. 110 days later, the hatchling will leave the nest, but will continue to receive food from its parents for another 100 days. Only a small percentage of chicks make it to adulthood (+/-2%).