Wedge-tailed eagle is the largest bird of prey in the continent of Australia.
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29 Facts About Wedge-tailed eagle
2.
The wedge-tailed eagle is one of 12 species of large, predominantly dark-coloured booted eagles in the genus Aquila found worldwide.
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3.
Genetic research has clearly indicated that the wedge-tailed eagle is fairly closely-related to other, generally large members of the Aquila genus.
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4.
Wedge-tailed eagle is one of its native continent's most generalized birds of prey.
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5.
Wedge-tailed eagle is one of the world's most powerful avian predators.
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6.
At one time, the wedge-tailed eagle was classified in it is own monotypical genus Uroaetus, perhaps due to its unique form.
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7.
However, the Gurney's eagle, a mostly allopatric but outwardly fairly similar eagle is clearly a very close relation of the wedge-tailed eagle and the two are likely sister species, most likely originating from the same radiation across the Indo-Pacific region.
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8.
In terms of osteological structure and size, the wedge-tailed eagle is said to be proportional to other eagles, being notably smaller and less robust than the heaviest eagles such as Steller's and harpies but fairly similar in osteology in both structure and proportions to the golden eagle.
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9.
In New Guinea, the Gurney's eagle is more similar than those species in form and build but the Gurney's is somewhat smaller and more compact than the wedge-tailed eagle with rich yellow feet, a rather shorter rounded or faintly wedge-tipped tail, shorter and relatively broader wings.
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10.
Wedge-tailed eagle is not a bird well known for its vocalization nor are they often heard.
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11.
In New Guinea, the wedge-tailed eagle is highly range restricted and can be found in predominantly in the Trans-Fly savanna and grasslands and the general area around the Western Province, as well as in the Merauke Regency, with some isolated reports in Western New Guinea, the Bensbach River and the Oriomo River.
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12.
The wedge-tailed eagle is a largely sedentary as expected of a raptor dwelling in the subtropics, although they dwell in the tropics as well as in the temperate zone.
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13.
One post dispersal young Wedge-tailed eagle was observed to distribute from Kangaroo Island to the mainland, possibly a regular occurrence.
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14.
Wedge-tailed eagle is the only bird that has a reputation for not infrequently attacking hang gliders and paragliders, although other eagles including the golden eagle have been recorded to behave thusly.
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15.
Wedge-tailed eagle is one of the world's most powerful avian predators.
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16.
Wedge-tailed eagle is a dietary generalist, opportunistically capturing a wide range of prey species.
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17.
Out of the Aquila genus, it is one of a few generalist species, however the wedge-tailed eagle is the Aquila most likely to typically attack the largest prey.
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18.
The wedge-tailed eagle is at times capable of taking very substantial livestock animals, lambs taken have been estimated to weigh a mean of 3.
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19.
In some unusual cases, wedge-tailed eagle hunting parties can form whilst hunting red kangaroos, sometimes including up to 15 eagles, but usually only a pair is sufficient to kill such prey.
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20.
Wedge-tailed eagle occupies a fairly unique niche relative to other Aquila.
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21.
The wedge-tailed eagle has the ability to exploit a more catholic variation of both prey and habitat since it exists with relatively fewer competing species.
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22.
The little eagle has a few ecological similarities to the wedge-tailed eagle.
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23.
However, the size difference is extreme between the wedge-tailed and little eagles, with the earlier over four times heavier than the latter, and the little eagle as expected exploits a lower trophic level relative to its more powerful competitor.
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24.
In one case in South Australia, the removal of a dead tree in the vicinity of a wedge-tailed eagle nest resulted in full abandonment of the nest by the parents.
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25.
Historically, the wedge-tailed eagle was subject to persecution levels to rival any other eagle in the world.
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26.
Furthermore, of 109 Wedge-tailed eagle carcasses recovered in Tasmania, all of them had trace levels of lead in their livers or femurs with at least part of the exposure likely from lead ammunition.
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27.
The wedge-tailed eagle is a symbol of the Australian Defence Force, featuring prominently on the ADF Flag, and the Royal Australian Air Force and Australian Air Force Cadets both use a wedge-tailed eagle on their badges.
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28.
Early in 1967, the Australian Army 2nd Cavalry Regiment received its new badge, a wedge-tailed eagle swooping, carrying a lance-bearing the motto "Courage" in its talons.
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29.
Wedge-tailed eagle was charged with being AWOL and reduced to the rank of trooper.
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