Black Eagle - Definition

The Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malayensis) is a bird of prey. Like all eagles, it is in the family Accipitridae.

Black Eagle breeds in southern Asia from India and Sri Lanka to south east Asia. It is a bird of mountain woodland, which builds a stick nest in a tree and lays one or two eggs.

Black Eagle is a large raptor at about 70-80cm in length. Adults have all-black plumage, with a yellow bill base and feet. The wings are long and pinched in at the base giving a distinctive shape. The tail is also long, and shows faint barring. The wings are held in a shallow V in flight.

The wing shape helps to distinguish this species from the dark form of Changeable Hawk Eagle, ( Spizaetus cirrhatus).

Sexes are similar, but young birds have a buff head, underparts and underwing coverts. Black Eagle eats mammals, birds and eggs. It is a prolific nest-predator and is known for its superb flight zipping in and out of the canopy. Its talons are specially designed for snatching and holding on to the prey. 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.

Reference

• Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6