Wahlberg's eagle is a bird of prey that is native to sub-Saharan Africa, where it is a seasonal migrant in the woodlands and savannas. It is named after the Swedish naturalist Johan August Wahlberg. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
It inhabits open woodlands and savannas, especially acacia, miombo, and mopane woodlands with scattered tall trees for nesting. The species avoids dense rainforest and extremely arid desert but uses edges, riparian corridors, and lightly wooded plains. It breeds widely in southern Africa and then undertakes post-breeding movements toward central and eastern Africa. Nests are typically placed high in prominent trees, and territories include mosaics of open hunting grounds and tree cover.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Wahlberg's eagle is a small, uniformly brown eagle of sub-Saharan Africa, named after Swedish naturalist Johan August Wahlberg. It is an intra-African seasonal migrant that breeds mainly in southern Africa and moves north after the breeding season. The species shows variable plumage, from pale to dark morphs, and often sports a small crest.
It is cross-shaped in flight with straight-edged wings and a square tail.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
soaring glider with steady, elastic wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically monogamous, it nests singly in tall trees using a stick platform lined with green leaves. The pair defends a territory during the breeding season and performs display flights over the nest area. Clutch size is usually one egg, and the species shows strong site fidelity to successful territories.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet away from the nest, giving thin whistled or piping calls. Vocal activity increases near the nest and during displays, with sharp, repeated notes carrying over the canopy.
Plumage
Mostly uniform brown plumage with subtle variation from pale to dark morphs; flight feathers slightly darker, giving muted contrast. Feathers can appear slightly shaggy on the nape, forming a small crest.
Diet
It preys on small mammals, birds, and reptiles, and also takes large insects such as locusts and termites when abundant. Hunting is often from a perch or while soaring, dropping swiftly to seize prey on the ground or in low vegetation. It may opportunistically exploit bushfires or termite emergences and will kleptoparasitize smaller raptors on occasion.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along woodland edges, open savannas with scattered trees, and riparian corridors where prey is concentrated. It often hunts near clearings, waterholes, and recently burned patches that expose prey.
