Terathopius ecaudatus
The Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) is a striking, medium-sized eagle renowned for its distinctive, extremely short tail, giving it a unique silhouette in flight. Adults exhibit a glossy black body, vibrant red facial skin and legs, and prominent white underwing coverts that contrast sharply with their black flight feathers and grey wing patches (more extensive in males). With a wingspan reaching up to 186 cm and a body length of 55-70 cm, weighing between 2-3 kg, they are powerful aerial pr...
Found primarily in open savanna, thorny scrubland, and light woodland habitats across sub-Saharan Africa, often preferring areas with scattered trees for nesting and roosting. It can be observed from sea level up to elevations of 4,000 meters in some parts of its range.
Their diet is highly varied, consisting mainly of reptiles (snakes, lizards), small to medium-sized mammals (rodents, hares), and birds (guineafowl, francolins), often caught on the wing. They are also opportunistic scavengers, readily feeding on carrion, and will consume large insects.
Bateleurs are predominantly diurnal, spending much of their day soaring at various altitudes, often for hours without a single wingbeat, using thermals to glide effortlessly. They are adept foragers, quartering vast areas at low altitudes, scanning the ground with their keen eyesight before swoop...
The Bateleur has a wide, albeit patchy, distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, extending from Senegal and Mauritania in the west to Ethiopia and Somalia in the east, and south through Kenya, Tanzania, and into Southern Africa, including South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. While primarily reside...
Near Threatened
- The Bateleur possesses the shortest tail relative to its body size of any bird of prey, making its flight silhouette incredibly distinctive. - Its name 'Bateleur' is French for 'tumbler' or 'acrobat,' referring to the spectacular aerial displays males perform during courtship. - A Bateleur chic...