- Black Eagle
Taxobox
name = Black Eagle
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Aves
ordo =Accipitriformes
familia =Accipitridae
genus = "Ictinaetus"
genus_authority = Blyth, 1843
species = "I. malayensis"
binomial = "Ictinaetus malayensis"
binomial_authority = (Temminck, 1822)The Black Eagle, ("Ictinaetus malayensis"), is a
bird of prey . Like alleagle s, it is in the familyAccipitridae , and is presently the only member of the genus "Ictinaetus".Distribution
The Black Eagle breeds in southern
Asia fromPakistan ,India andSri Lanka toSoutheast Asia . It is a bird of mountain woodland.Identification
The Black Eagle is a large raptor at about 70-80cm in length. Adults have all-black plumage, with a yellow bill base (cere) and feet. The wings are long and pinched in at the innermost primaries giving a distinctive shape. The tail is also long, and shows faint barring. The wings are held in a shallow V in flight. Seen on hot afternoon, scouring the treetops for a nest, this bird is easily spotted by its jet black colour, large size, and a 'characteristic' slow flight, sometimes just above the canopy. Sexes are similar, but young birds have a buff head, underparts and underwing coverts.The wing shape helps to distinguish this species from the dark form of
Changeable Hawk Eagle , ("Spizaetus cirrhatus").Habits
The Black Eagle eats
mammal s,bird s and eggs. It is a prolific nest-predator and is known for its superb flight, zipping in and out of the canopy. Its sharp talons are specially adapted for snatching and holding onto the prey. It builds a stick platform nest in a tree and lays one or two eggs.References
* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
* Grimmett, Richard; Inskipp, Carol, Inskipp, Tim & Byers, Clive (1999): "Birds of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives". Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.. ISBN 0-691-04910-6
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