EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Each week a different image of our fascinating environment is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional ecologist.

10-16 July 2017

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Martial of the Savanna

Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus), Family Accipitridae
Masai Mara, Kenya

Credit & Copyright: Dr. Bruce G. Marcot

Explanation:  Only a juvenile, this is still a huge bird of prey.  This is a Martial Eagle, seen in savannas and veldts of sub-Saharan Africa.  

Marshall Eagles sport a wingspan of 7 feet (212 cm) and stand 2.3 feet (70 cm) tall.    

 

They are rated as Vulnerable by IUCN on the basis of rapid population declines over the last half-century because of poisoning and persecution, loss of habitat, loss of prey, pollution, and the ever-present risk to raptors, collisions with power lines.  



Martial Eagles are the largest eagle in Africa.
They take a variety of prey, including other birds such as
geese and even occasionally bustards.

These are juveniles, as adults have an all-dark
head and chest ... but the juvies share
those piercing yellow eyes.

  

 

   
       

Next week's picture:  Miniature Mollusk

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Author & Webmaster: Dr. Bruce G. Marcot, Tom Bruce
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