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Dark Tawny Eagle
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Robin Du Bois (robindb)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 86 W: 0 N: 234]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (842) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2008-06-07 |
| Categories: Birds |
| Exposure: f/11, 1/640 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2008-07-19 6:01 |
| Viewed: 393 |
| Points: 10 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Recognition of some of the Raptors is very difficult. Tthe juveniles are often a different colour and then there are also rufous and mellanistic forms. This looks like a tawny eagle but is much darker than what the books say it should be. I will post a paler version tomorrow for comparison.
This one was taken on the H6 road in Kruger Park.
The Tawny Eagle, Aquila rapax, is a large bird of prey. It is about 62–72 cm in length and has a wingspan of 165–185cm. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. It was once considered to be closely related to the migratory Steppe Eagle, Aquila nipalensis, and the two forms have previously been treated as conspecific. They were split based on pronounced differences in morphology and anatomy molecular analysis indicates that these birds are not even each other's closest relatives.
It breeds in most of Africa both north and south of the Sahara Desert and across tropical southwestern Asia to India. It is a resident breeder which lays 1–3 eggs in a stick nest in a tree, crag or on the ground.
Throughout its range it favours open dry habitats, such as desert, semi-desert, steppes, or savannah.
This is a large eagle with tawny upperparts and blackish flight feathers and tail. The lower back is very pale. This species is smaller and paler than the Steppe Eagle, although it does not share that species' pale throat.
Immature birds are less contrasted than adults, but both show a range of variation in plumage colour.
The Tawny Eagle's diet is largely fresh carrion of all kinds, but it will kill small mammals up to the size of a rabbit, reptiles and birds up to the size of guineafowl. It will also steal food from other raptors.
The call of the Tawny Eagle is a crow-like barking, but it is rather a silent bird except in display. |
writerscrawlz has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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Impressive bird, Robin.
The 'low' POV is very good. Well composed as well. No distracting branches. Maybe it is 'cause it is a juvenile that he has a lower perch.
TFS
Annick
Beautiful capture - the sharpness is amazing. I love the catchlight, pose, and the overall composition. There's something regal about his pose - as if he knows he is destined to be a great raptor...
Also, the POV and DOF are fantastic.
- GaryT
(858)
- [2008-07-19 10:21]
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Very good composition, sharpness, and good pose. But I think a little more contrast would jazz it up a bit. Gary
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- PeterZ
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1199 W: 68 N: 2473]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(8159) - [2008-07-20 5:16]
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Hello Robin,
Wonderful natural photo of this juvenile Bateleur (yes it is!). Great sharpness and a colours. Very nice pose, POV and a good composition.
Regards,
Peter
Hi, Robin
This is a fine shot of a juvenile Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus, which looks very different from the adult plumage. ID 100% certainty. Very nice lighting and a very fortunate/well planned shooting angle.
Regards, Nigel.
