The scientific name for the wedge-tailed eagle is Aquila audax.
Why do we have scientific names?
Scientific names are used to classify everything in the 5 kingdoms, from fungi, to animal and plants and so on. Having one scientific name for each animal makes it easier for the scientists to find information about that animal. The wedge-tailed eagle a few common names, them being the Australian wedge-tailed eagle, the eaglehawk, the mountain eagle and the Tasmania wedge-tailed eagle.
These are all different names but are the same animal. This is why scientific naming is done, it is so every animal has one scientific name, no matter how many common names it has.
The wedge-tailed eagle is spread out between the Mainland of Australia, Tasmania and Southern New Guinea. It is also found on a number of offshore island such as Flinders Island, Maria Island and Kangaroo Island.
Aquila audax
Classification:
1) Kingdom – Animalia
2) Phylum – Chordata
3) Class – Aves
4) Order – Falconiformes
5) Family – Accipitridae
6) Genus – Aquila
7) Species – audax
There are two subspecies of the wedge-tailed eagle. There is the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle, (Aquila audax fleayi) which is only slightly different to its mainland partner. The difference between them is the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle has a whitish-buff or cream rather than the golden or reddish-brown nape that the Australian wedge-tailed eagle has.
Description:
Body, Wings & Head
The Wedge-tailed Eagle is the largest predatory bird in Australia. The Eagle’s wings are generally narrow wings with a notched tip. The wingspan of a fully grown eagle is 2.3m. The main distinguishing feature of the eagle is the Wedge-like tail. The head is relatively small flat head with a large hooked beak. The eagles are covered in baggy feathering all the way down to the base of the toes.
Beak & Claws
The beak of the eagle ranges in colour from pale pink to cream.
Colour
An adult wedge-tailed eagle is mainly a dark brownish-black, apart from some reddish-brown hackles on the back of its neck and a small band of mottled grey across the upper part of the wing. The undertail-coverts [1] are a paler brown. On the undersides of the wings, pale bases of the flight feathers are visible. The wedge-tailed eagle’s eyes can range from light brown to dark brown and its cere[2] and feet are a creamy white.
The male and female wedge-tailed eagle are very similar in appearance. One of the differences are that the females are usually slight larger and heavier. The juvenile wedge-tailed eagle are easy to tell apart from the adult because they are mainly dark brown with reddish edges to their feathers and light golden to reddish brown nape, back and upperwing band. Also the head and the chest of the juvenile is paler and streakier than the adults.
[1] Coverts: Small feathers that conceal the base of the larger flight feathers, usually on the wings or tail
[2] In birds, an area of skin at the base of the upper mandible of the beak, surrounding the nostrils
Vocalisation
The wedge-tailed eagle is not usually vocal but some of the sound that they can make are whistles, yelps and squeals. They also give a thin high whistle followed by a short, weak-sounding ‘see-tyu’.
Habitat
The wedge-tailed eagle is found in a wide range of habitats, they range from woodland, to forest to savannah and treeless plains. The wedge-tails tend to avoid built up areas. They hunt in open country but nest in dense forests.
Diet
This bird of prey hunts a variety of both native and overseas animals. If they are common, rabbits make up the most of their diet but they will also take wallabies, hares, possums, kangaroos, cats, dogs, foxes some reptile such as snakes and lizards as well as other birds such as crows, parrots and ducks.
Carrion is also an important part of the eagle’s diet. Especially when during the winter and for younger birds as it is harder for them to catch prey.
The wedge-tailed eagle is a powerful bird making it able to catch prey several times is own weight as well as carry it back to the nest for its young and mate. Although they do not often go after larger prey simply because it is easier to go after smaller prey. They will also sometimes hunt cooperatively in pair or even in small groups.
Reproduction
Immature wedge-tailed eagles are sociable while the adults are usually found alone or in pairs. It is not known for sure but it is believed that they mate for life. A breeding pair defend a territory where they hunt and then raise their young. The species breeds between April and December, but is can change due to the location. For example, wedge-tailed eagle in the northern Australia have been recorded breeding in January and February while those in Tasmania tend to breed between August and September.
The nest of the eagle in a large stick nest that is repeatedly used over many years. The size of the nest can reach up to 2.5 metres across and almost 4 metres deep. The nest is lined with green leaves and twigs and is usually build in a large tree, on rocks, cliff edges and sometime on the ground. Within the pair territory there are always a couple of nests but only one is favoured and used year after year. Each nest might be used for up to 50 years.
Between one to two eggs are laid by the female eagle with the Tasmania subspecies eagle usually only having one egg. The eggs are incubated by both of the adults for 42 to 48 days, with variations. At 70 to 95 days old, the young eagle fledge. After this they leave the nest but still remain dependant on the adults for another three to six months. From there the become adults and move on from their parents territory.
The wedge-tailed eagle reaches sexual maturity at around three to five years old but it is unusual for them to begin breeding straight away. This species can reach 20 to 25 years old in the wild and has been known to live up to 40 years in captivity.
Endangered Status
The wedge-tailed eagle is currently listen at Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Although the Tasmania subspecies of the wedge-tailed eagle is listed as endangered under the Environment Protection Act ad Biodiversity Act 19999 as well as the Tasmania Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.
Structural Adaptations
The wedge-tailed eagle also have large talons and beaks, both designed to be able to rip and tear flesh in an efficient way.
One the most major adaptation that they have are the binocular vision that enables them to assess distances easily and spot their prey from miles away. How they do this is that their eyes are equipped with bony rings which ca squeeze and elongate the eyeball. The acts the same as a phone lens on a camera.
The wing of the eagle are large allowing it to fly longer distances without tiring.
Physiological Adaptations
Wedge-tailed eagles are able to see rising thermals as well as detect currents in the air which help them to gain altitude and only expend a little energy.
Behavioural Adaptations
Wedge-tailed eagles mate for life. This means that they share a nest and also share duties such as caring for the eggs. During breeding season they also partake in aerobatic flights to advertise their territory to competitors.
The young of the parents will stay in the nest until mating season when they leave and make their own nest.
The eagle attack their prey by dividing apart and then surprising the prey from above, this enables them to quickly kill their prey before they escape.
