General Description

Body dark brown with wings and neck paler (adult) or paler with gold sheen (young birds). Feathers extend all the way down the legs. Characteristic tail is long and diamond-shaped, looking like a wedge when seen from below. Wingspan up to 2.3 m. Females are larger and heavier (over 5 kg) than males (up to 4 kg). Body length up to 105 cm.

Biology

Wedge-tailed Eagles are Australia's largest eagle. They can travel long distances and often circle in thermal air currents. They feed on live prey or dead carcasses (carrion), with rabbits and hares comprising most of their diet. Wedge-tailed Eagles hunt by themselves, in pairs, or in a group. Individuals can lift up to 50% of their body weight and will store food in branches close to their nests. Nests are constructed from dead sticks lined with eucalypt leaves and are located high in trees. Nests are reused each year and can weigh up to 400 kg. Wedge-tailed Eagles are monogamous and will lay clutches containing one to three eggs. Breeding pairs are extremely territorial of their nest sites.

Distribution

Southern New Guinea. Mainland Australia and Tasmania.

Habitat

Inhabits most areas, but prefers open country and forested or wooded areas. Occasionally in urban areas.

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