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  Wedge-tailed Eagle ( Aquila audax )



Wedge-tailed Eagle | Aquila audax photo
Wedge-tailed Eagle soaring, Canberra Australian Capital Territory.

Photograph by Julian Robinson. Some rights reserved.

Wedge-tailed Eagle | Aquila audax photo
Wedge-tailed Eagle with prey

Photograph by Julian Robinson. Some rights reserved.

Wedge-tailed Eagle | Aquila audax photo
Wedge-tailed Eagle chick on nest.

Photograph by Julian Robinson. Some rights reserved.

Wedge-tailed Eagle | Aquila audax photo
Excellent shot of a Wedge-tailed Eagle with prey (hare or rabbit?).

Photograph by Julian Robinson. Some rights reserved.




WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE FACTS

distribution map showing range of Aquila audax in Australia

Description
The Wedge-tailed Eagle is a large brown eagle with long-feathered legs and a diamond or wedge shaped tail. The tail shape is prominent when seen soaring. It flies with slow powerful wing beats, and soars and circles at great heights.

Size
about 1m long with wingspan of up to 2.5m

Environment
found in wide range of territory from mountain forests to open plains.

Food
rabbits, rodents, small marsupials, birds

Breeding
The nest is a large structure of dead sticks, usually reused for years and can reach 1.8m across. Nests have a shallow cup on the top, lined with fresh twigs and leaves. Lays two white eggs with reddish brown spots and blotches

Range
throughout mainland Australia, Tasmania and southern New Guinea.



Classification
Class:Aves
Order:Falconiformes
Family:Accipitridae
Genus:Aquila
Species:audax
Common Name:Wedge-tailed Eagle