Top 9 African eagles – Eagle species in South Africa, etc.

Majestic African eagles soar through the skies. They are symbols of a continent, flying with freedom and pride above the open savanna.

From down below, you see it’s an African eagle. When it swoops closer, you distinguish the species. Each has its distinctive markings and sounds, its own call in Africa’s orchestra of bird song.

Most visitors to Africa get preoccupied with what they can see on the ground, such as elephants, leopards, lions, and rhinos. Look up, and there’s a whole different world.

In this article, we celebrate nine of Africa’s most majestic eagles, with tips for identifying them and information on where to spot them.

9 Majestic Eagles in Africa

Ready to discover the eagles of Africa? Here are nine unique African eagle species that are sure to leave you in awe.

African hawk-eagle

Aquila spilogaster

Nesting in hilly woodland, the African hawk-eagle has a musical call and hunts for reptiles along with small mammals.

You can see it on a safari in the woodlands anywhere from Tanzania to South Africa. Look for an enormous nest in the fork of a tree.

This beautiful eagle of South Africa is among the few species on this list with the status ‘least concern’, suggesting it has a stable population.

Distinguishing features of the African hawk-eagle:

• White thighs with no spots.
• In flight, the under-wing is primarily white, and the upper wing is dark brown, with characteristic white panels at the base of the primaries.
• The female is larger than the male and more heavily streaked in front.
• Juveniles have underwing coverts, and their underbody is pale rufous; this darkens with age.
• Habitat: Woodland and savanna.
• Call: Musical ‘klee-klee-klee’.

African fish eagle

Haliaeetus vocifer

Africa’s most beautiful raptor, the African fish eagle, is the national symbol of four different African countries, namely Namibia, Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

They sometimes hunt monkeys and small crocodiles and are kleptoparasites, meaning they steal food from other birds.

Distinguishing features of the African fish eagle:

• A brown, white, and chestnut appearance.
• Both males and females have brown bodies with striking white heads, plus large black wings.
• The tails are white and easily recognizable when spotted from below.
• The female is larger than the male and has a wingspan of up to 2.4 meters.
• Habitat: Widespread across Africa but always around water, typically nesting close to rivers.
• Call: A distinctive yodeling sound that often goes in harmony with hippos.

Tip: Read the complete African fish eagle story here.

African crowned eagle

Stephanoaetus coronatus

The king of the forest or leopard of the sky, the African crowned eagle is the most adept hunter of all Africa’s eagles.

Most of its diet comprises small ungulates and primates, such as young vervet monkeys and dik-dik.

Distinguishing features of the African crowned eagle:

• Large size and hawk-like appearance; measures up to a meter in length and is the world’s fifth largest eagle.
• Dark gray above and rufous below; breast and belly heavily mottled in black.
• Well-rounded wings and a long barred tail when in flight.
• Massive talons that are as large as even the largest golden eagles.
• Habitat: Evergreen and riverine gallery forest.
• Call: Extremely vocal “kiwi supporter”: ringing ‘kewee-kewee-kewee’.

Bateleur

Terathopius ecaudatus

The bateleur eagle is my favorite African eagle species out of them all.

With its short tail and bright red face, this snake eagle relative is easy to identify when on safari.

Distinguishing features of the bateleur eagle:

• Black, white, and chestnut plumage.
• Diagnostic wing shape and very short tail.
• Long wings held slightly angled upwards, rarely flapping when in flight motion.
• The male has a broad black trailing edge to the wing, whereas the female’s edge is narrow.

• Immature individuals are brown.
• Habitat: Savanna.
• Call: Bateleurs are mostly silent but will produce a loud bark, ‘kow-wah’.

Verreaux’s eagle

Aquila verreauxii

The nemesis of the rock hyrax, this booted eagle is one of the longest in the world.

It thrives wherever rock hyraxes flourish and occurs around Southern and East Africa.

Distinguishing features of Verreaux’s eagle:

• Also known in Africa as the black eagle.
• Unmistakable: In flight, the wings are narrow at the base and broadening in the middle.
• White rump and back markings contrast with the black plumage.

• Habitat: Mountainous regions with cliffs and crevices. Feeds primarily on rock hyraxes and will change habitat in order to hunt this favorite prey.
• Call: Melodious ‘keee-uup’.

Martial eagle

Polemaetus bellicosus

Africa’s largest eagle will swoop down to hunt venomous snakes, jackals, and antelope.

This majestic hunter can fly for hours, cruising on the thermals before descending to make a kill.

Distinguishing features of the martial eagle:

• Dark head, throat, and upper breast. A white, lightly spotted breast and belly, plus very dark underwings.
• Resembles the black-chested snake eagle from below.
• A wingspan of up to 2.6 meters, with females larger than males.

• Descend from high in the sky when hunting, using elongated hind toe claws to grab their prey.
• Habitat: A variety of different environments, from deserts to forests and savannas.
• Call: A rapid ‘klooee-klooee-klooee’ on display.

Unfortunately, martial eagle populations are declining, and they are vulnerable on the IUCN list.

Tip: For more information on this mesmerizing big bird, have a look at this article on the martial eagle story.

Long-crested eagle

Lophaetus occipitalis

Widespread across sub-Saharan Africa but difficult to encounter, the long-crested eagle is usually identified by its long shaggy crest.

Most of their diet comprises rodents, and these eagles are often seen around towns and cities.

Distinguishing features of the long-crested eagle:

• Dull black plumage and long, wispy crest.
• Conspicuous white bases to the primaries when in flight, along with a black and white barred tail.
• The male has white leggings and a longer crest than the female.
• The females have mottled brown or brown and white leggings.
• Habitat: Wooded areas and marshy forest edges.
• Call: High-pitched ‘kee-ah’ during display or when perched.

Wahlberg’s eagle

Hieraaetus wahlbergi / Aquila wahlbergi

The Wahlberg’s eagle is one of the smallest eagles in Africa and one of the few migratory raptors on the continent. This means that it travels long distances between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

Between August and April, you can expect to see this striking bird of prey in South Africa, particularly in Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and Kwazulu-Natal. It is also a frequent visitor to the Kruger National Park.

While smaller, the near-threatened South African eagle remains an agile hunter and feeds predominantly on smaller birds, mammals, and reptiles.

Distinguishing features of the Wahlberg’s eagle:

• They have a small crest on the head, giving a distinct squared-off look.
• Dark brown plumage, a lighter brown head and neck, a paler underside, and a gray barred tail.
• They have a wingspan of 1.3 to 1.5 meters and a height of around 58 centimeters.
• The female is bigger than the male.
• The eyes of a Wahlberg’s eagle are generally a pale yellow or cream color.
• Habitat: Woodlands, savanna, and riverine forests.
• Call: The Wahlberg’s eagle gives a loud ‘kleee-ee’ sound.

Fun fact: The Wahlberg’s eagle’s name comes from the Swedish naturalist Johan August Wahlberg.

Tawny eagle

Aquila rapax

The tawny eagle is a magnificent bird of prey widespread across Africa and parts of the Middle East.

Like many eagles, this bird is a formidable hunter. Its hooked beak and large, powerful talons provide it with the means needed to strike its prey effectively. This can range from small mammals and birds to reptiles and insects.

Atop its menu is the dik-dik, which is more than twice its weight. The tawny eagle is also an opportunistic scavenger and will not think twice about feeding on the kills of other predators.

Distinguishing features of the tawny eagle:

• The tawny eagle’s legs are heavily feathered, suggesting it is a part of the Aquilinae subfamily (known as “booted eagles”).
• Their wingspan can reach up to 2 meters.
• It has a dark brown plumage that covers most of its body, as well as a ​pale, cream-colored head and neck.
• They are endothermic, meaning they absorb energy from the surrounding heat.
• Habitat: Prefers dry habitats, including savannas, grasslands, steppes, deserts, and mountainous regions.
• Call: Generally silent; however, males may emit a ‘kwok kwok’ sound.

Spot an African Eagle on a Safari

African eagles often prove an unexpected highlight on a safari. You see them soar and swoop, sometimes even witness them carrying off prey.

This article highlights nine types of eagles in Africa, each with its distinctive appearance, sound, and habitat.

Whether it’s the African hawk-eagle’s impressive hunting skills or the martial eagle’s incredible wingspan, witnessing these birds of prey is sure to impress.

If you’re ready to experience the beauty of these magnificent birds on a safari, then check out our incredible African safari deals.

In addition to the species in this African eagle list, be sure to keep an eye out for the following birds on your next safari, too.

What has been your most impressive eagle sighting?