22-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - BATELEUR EAGLE (JUVENILE) (Terathopius ecaudatus)

  

Adult Bateleurs are unmistakable with their black and chestnut plumage, grey wing patches, and bright red cere and feet. In flight, they exhibit elongated, narrow wings that appear pinched at the bases and pointed at the tips. The juvenile's longer tail and uniform brown coloration distinguish it from adults.

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Bateleurs favor open savanna habitats with some trees and dry woodlands across Sub-Saharan Africa. They require leafy trees for nesting and are often found near watercourses.

This species is widespread throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and marginally into Arabia. It is more common in protected areas and has experienced significant declines in certain regions.

Bateleurs are highly aerial, spending much time soaring with a distinctive rocking motion. They are solitary but may form loose congregations at rich feeding areas. They are sensitive to disturbance, especially at the nest, and can become unusually tame in captivity.

This species is widespread throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and marginally into Arabia. It is more common in protected areas and has experienced significant declines in certain regions.

Bateleurs are highly aerial, spending much time soaring with a distinctive rocking motion. They are solitary but may form loose congregations at rich feeding areas. They are sensitive to disturbance, especially at the nest, and can become unusually tame in captivity.

3-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - BATELEUR EAGLE (JUVENILE)(Terathopius ecaudatus)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bateleur

3-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - BATELEUR EAGLE (JUVENILE)(Terathopius ecaudatus)

Juvenile bateleur eagles are primarily brown, have a longer tail and wing feathers for flight control, and a duller, greenish-blue cere and feet compared to adults. They gradually transition to the adult plumage over seven to eight years, developing a shorter tail and more defined body colors through molting. They are often mistaken for other birds, such as the brown snake eagle, due to their brown coloration. 

Physical characteristics

Plumage: Brown and dull, with some lighter edging on the feathers. The head is paler and tawnier.

Tail and wings: Possess longer tail and wing feathers than adults, which provide more stability and control during flight. The tail gets shorter with each molt as the bird matures.

Bare parts: The cere (the fleshy, waxy part on top of the beak) and feet are a pale grey-blue to greenish-blue color. 

Development and behavior

Maturation: It takes approximately 7 to 8 years for a juvenile to reach full adult plumage.

Flight: The longer feathers of juveniles give them better control as they learn to fly.

Adult supervision: Young are fed by both parents for about 100 days after fledging and remain dependent for up to four months.

Mobility: Juveniles become highly mobile and nomadic, and are sometimes driven away from the breeding territory by adult eagles.

Identification: Due to their dull brown color and longer tail, juveniles are often mistaken for a brown snake eagle. 

7-6-2019 MOREMI CAMP, BOTSWANA - BATELEUR EAGLE (JUVENILE)(Terathopius ecaudatus)

3-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - BATELEUR EAGLE (JUVENILE)(Terathopius ecaudatus

The bateleur eagle is a medium-sized eagle native to Sub-Saharan Africa with a distinctive appearance, including a red face and legs, a short tail, and a colorful black and chestnut plumage. Known for its unique, wobbly flight style, this raptor hunts a varied diet of small mammals, birds, reptiles, and carrion, often soaring for long distances to find prey. They pair for life, nest in trees, and are currently listed as endangered due to population decline. 

Appearance

Plumage: Adults have a black body, chestnut mantle, rump, and tail, with gray shoulders and wing patches.

Facial features: They have a bright red face and bright red legs.

Size: They measure 55–70 cm (22–28 inches) in length with a wingspan of 168–190 cm (5.5–6.3 feet).

Juveniles: Young eagles are mostly brown with some white dappling. 

Behavior and lifestyle

Flight: Their flight is characterized by a rocking or wobbly motion, giving them the name "Bateleur," which means "tightrope walker" or "street performer" in French. They are highly aerial and spend many hours soaring.

Social structure: They are monogamous and typically live and hunt in pairs, although they are territorial.

Mood indicators: The red skin on their face and feet can change color; it flushes bright red when they are excited.

Sunbathing: After bathing, they often stand upright with their wings spread to sunbathe in a classic "phoenix" pose.

Communication: They are generally silent but can produce barks and screams. 

Diet

Varied diet: Their diet is not limited to snakes and includes small mammals, birds, reptiles, and carrion.

Hunting: They hunt by soaring over a large territory, sometimes covering up to 250 square miles. 

Reproduction

Nesting: They build sturdy stick nests in large trees.

Eggs: They lay only one egg at a time.

Life cycle: Incubation lasts about 50-60 days, and the young fledge after about 100 days. 

Conservation status

Status: The bateleur eagle is listed as endangered.

Threats: Their population is declining, partly due to the use of poison baits, and they are increasingly confined to protected areas.