Cassin's hawk-eagle or Cassin's eagle, is a relatively small eagle in the family Accipitridae. Its feathered legs mark it as member of the Aquilinae or booted eagle subfamily. A forest-dependent species, it occurs in primary rainforests across western, central and (marginally) eastern Africa where it preys on birds and tree squirrels. It was named after John Cassin who first described it in 1865. Due to widespread habitat destruction, its populations are steadily declining but have not yet warranted upgrading its status from Least Concern.
Region
West and Central Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from West Africa (e.g., Sierra Leone and Liberia) east through Nigeria and Cameroon into the Congo Basin, reaching Uganda and western Kenya, and south to northern Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is strongly tied to primary lowland and mid-elevation rainforest but may use well-structured secondary forest and riparian gallery forest. Prefers the interior and edges of mature forest and hunts along natural openings and clearings. Avoids open savanna and heavily fragmented landscapes, though it may pass over them when moving between forest blocks.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Cassin's hawk-eagle is a small, forest-dwelling booted eagle with fully feathered legs, once placed in the genus Spizaetus but now in Aquila. It hunts stealthily within the canopy, taking birds and arboreal mammals such as tree squirrels. The species is named after American ornithologist John Cassin (1865). Its reliance on intact rainforest makes it a useful indicator of forest health.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
soaring glider with intermittent deep wingbeats; agile through canopy with short rapid bursts
Social Behavior
Typically encountered singly or in pairs, maintaining large forest territories. Monogamous; pairs perform display flights above the canopy during breeding. The nest is placed high in a tall emergent or large canopy tree, usually with a clutch of one egg; female mainly incubates while the male provides prey.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include clear, whistled notes and piping calls, often given during display flights over the canopy. At the nest, softer whistles and chirps are used between mates.
