Bateleur

Terathopius ecaudatus

Other Pics: Juvenile Bateleur

Other Names

  Bateleur Eagle   Bateleur des savanes   Gaukler   Águila Volatinera   Gycklarörn   Bateleur   Falco giocoliere

World: Africa, from Senegambia, East to Sudan and Ethiopia and from there South to Botswana and South Africa.

Kenya: Found throughout Kenya.

An eagle of dry bush and grassland. One of Kenya's most common eagles, often seen flying very high when it can be distinguished by the very short tail. On the ground or in low level flight the colours make it unmistakable. The picture is an immature bird just aquiring adult plumage. The cere and bare skin on the face will become bright red, the back will turn chestnut and the pale feathering will develop until the primaries are all pale grey. Juveniles are brown and look very similar to several of the other snake eagles. Feeds on small birds, mammals and snakes, occasionally eats carrion and termites and may gather in large numbers at termite mounds when winged termites appear.