Bird · GBIF taxon 2480426
Martial Eagle
Polemaetus bellicosusDominating the African skies, martial eagles possess extraordinarily keen eyesight that enables them to spot prey from several kilometers away while soaring at immense heights. Their striking plumage features a dark brown head and chest contrasting sharply with spotted white underparts and fully feathered legs. These powerful apex predators build massive stick nests high in prominent savanna trees, often returning to the same breeding territory for decades.
RaptorApex PredatorAfrican Wildlife
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Helmeted Guineafowl
- Steenbok and Dik-diks
- Monitor Lizards
Predators
Not available
ThreatsDirect persecution, poisoning, electrocution on power lines, habitat degradation
HabitatsOpen savanna, wooded grasslands, thornbush, semi-desert
Life span15–25 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAccipitriformes
- FamilyAccipitridae
- GenusPolemaetus
- SpeciesPolemaetus bellicosus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Equipped with massive talons and a sharp beak; maintain a safe observation distance.
- What to notice
- Recognized by dark upperparts, dark chest, dark-spotted white belly, and broad wingspan.
- Support conservation
- Keep a distance of at least 300 meters from nesting trees to prevent nest abandonment.
Responsible observation
- Observe from Afar: Use a spotting scope or binoculars to watch nests without causing flight behavior.
- Scan High Skies: Look for a distinctive silhouette soaring at extreme altitudes over savanna country.
- Respect Nest Trees: Never approach large stick nests during the breeding season.
African Forest Cousin (c) Suvarna Parbhoo Mohan, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Savanna Competitor (c) Alan Manson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Manson · cc-by
Primary Prey (c) 116916927065934112165, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by 116916927065934112165 · cc-by
Mountain Relative (c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tony Rebelo · cc-by-sa
Keep collecting in Fauna
Found in Collections
Ecosystem chain Pro
Mystic Meadows
Martial Eagle is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
Unlock to track progress
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.