African Hawk-Eagle

Hieraaetus spilogaster

Other Names

  African Eagle   Aigle fascié   Afrikanischer Habichtsadler   Águila-azor Africana   Afrikansk hökörn   Afrikaanse havikarend   Aquilastore africano

World: Africa - widespread S of 15°N. Absent from the equatorial lowland forests and the arid SW of the continent.

Kenya: Found mainly below 1500m (although does occur up to 3000m) in open woodland and scrub in areas with rocky cliffs and wooded watercourses. Avoids very arid regions (so absent from the NE) but prefers dry country.

This is a distinctive eagle which can often be seen soaring on very rounded wings. It perches conspicuously in trees and is a powerful predator. Despite only being a medium-sized Eagle it nevertheless takes larger birds such as guineafowl or francolins.