Gurney's Eagle

Taxobox
name = Gurney’s Eagle
status = NT
status_system = iucn2.3
status_ref = [IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=1955|title=Aquila gurneyi|downloaded=28 Jan 2008 Database entry includes brief justification for why the species is of least concern]


image_width = 225px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Falconiformes
familia = Accipitridae
genus = "Aquila"
genus_authority =
species = "A. gurneyi"
binomial = "Aquila gurneyi"
binomial_authority = Gray, 1860

Gurney’s Eagle, "Aquila gurneyi", is a large eagle in the family "Accipitridae".

Identification

This eagle is mainly dark brown to black colouring, with paler undersides to flight feathers and a rounded tail. Its body length is 74-86 cm; with a wingspan of between 1.7 and 1.9 m. Females are larger than males. Its wings are held level when gliding.

Range

Gurney’s Eagle is found in New Guinea and adjacent islands westwards to the Moluccas. It has been recorded from Saibai and Boigu islands in north-western Torres Strait, thus putting it on the Australian bird list.

Habitat

Rainforest, swamp forest, and adjacent cultivated and coastal areas.

Food

Probably mainly mammals and reptiles.

Nesting

Undescribed.

Conservation

Occurs at low population densities and is likely to be declining slowly through habitat loss and degradation. Considered to be Near Threatened. Listed on CITES Appendix II.

References

* BirdLife International. (2006). Species factsheet: "Aquila gurneyi". Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/12/2006
* Coates, B.J. (1985), The Birds of Papua New Guinea, Vol. 1, Non-Passerines. Dove: Alderley, Queensland. ISBN 0-9590257-0-7
* Morcombe, Michael. (2000). Field Guide to Australian Birds. Steve Parish Publishing: Queensland. ISBN 1-876282-10-X