African Wildlife & Environment Issue 78

BIRDING

by size is relatively modest and eagles are unlikely to be sexed by this alone. However, the male may be distinguished by his more rapid wing beats (4 or 5 per second) from the more sluggish female (3 or 4 per second). The juvenile Crowned Eagle has strikingly different looking plumage compared to the adults. Most of this variation occurs as the maturation process unfolds. A majority of juveniles have a white head and underside, which contrast with the thighs and legs, which in turn are heavily spotted with black. The juvenile may be confused with the similarly coloured juvenile Martial Eagle, especially in flight. It is distinguished from the Martial in having a much longer, more heavily barred tail, much shorter wings, and spotted thighs. Distribution and habitat The Crowned Eagle inhabits mainly dense woodlands, including those deep within rainforest, but will sometimes also be found in relict patches, wooded escarpments, riparian strips of Acacia, heavily wooded hillsides, and rocky outcrops throughout its range. It may be found from an altitude of sea- level to at least 3,000 m . Owing to lack of current suitable habitat, the eagle's range is often somewhat discontinuous. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Crowned Eagle has been confirmed to survive at relatively high densities in protected areas that maintain dense, old-growth rainforests.

Crowned Eagle displaying immature plumage (Photograph: John Wesson)

41 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 78 (2021)