Species profile
About the martial eagle
The martial eagle is the heaviest and most powerful eagle in Africa, with a wingspan approaching two and a half metres and a grip strong enough to break a man's arm. Adults are dark grey-brown above with a white, spotted belly and a short crest.
It hunts by soaring very high and stooping onto prey — guineafowl, bustards, hares, monitor lizards, young antelope and even small carnivores. Enormous territories mean it is never numerous, and steady declines from persecution and habitat loss led the IUCN to uplist it to Endangered in 2020. Serengeti and Mkomazi remain reliable places to look.
Life in the wild
Behavior & relationships
Behavior
Soars for hours at great height, often beyond naked-eye range, and stoops steeply onto prey. Frequently seen perched motionless on a bare branch or pylon.
Social life
Pairs for life and defends a territory that may exceed 100 square kilometres, using the same huge stick nest year after year.
What makes it remarkable
Special features
Eyesight estimated at three to four times human acuity, and the strongest grip of any African raptor.
