Wedge-tailed Eagle
Photo · (c) Andrew Allen, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Wedge-tailed Eagle

Aquila audax(Latham, 1801)

Also known asBunjilNgayurnangalku

Least ConcernNative
Order
ACCIPITRIFORMES
Genus
Aquila
Conservation
Least Concern
Commonness
Very common
Best seen
Year-round

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The wedge-tailed eagle, also known as the eaglehawk, is the largest bird of prey in the continent of Australia. It is also found in southern New Guinea to the north and is distributed as far south as the state of Tasmania. Adults of the species have long, broad wings, fully feathered legs, an unmistakable wedge-shaped tail, an elongated upper mandible, a strong beak and powerful feet. The wedge-tailed eagle is one of 12 species of large, predominantly dark-coloured booted eagles in the genus Aquila found worldwide. Genetic research has clearly indicated that the wedge-tailed eagle is fairly closely related to other, generally large members of the Aquila genus. A large brown-to-black bird of prey, it has a maximum reported wingspan of 2.84 m and a length of up to 1.06 m.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

02 · Where

Where to find it

Breeding range
South-central New Guinea, Australia and Tasmania

03 · When

When to look

Months this species is recorded across its Australian range.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

The BirdUp app

Log your next Wedge-tailed Eagle in the field

A pocket field journal for 850+ Australian birds. Offline-first, smart ID, and a lifelist that travels with you.