Aquila africana
Cassin's Hawk-Eagle (*Aquila africana*) is a medium-sized raptor, often described as elusive and strikingly handsome, inhabiting the dense rainforests of West and Central Africa. Measuring approximately 50-61 cm (20-24 in) in length with a wingspan of 100-120 cm (39-47 in), adults are characterized by their dark brown to blackish upperparts that contrast sharply with their pristine white underparts, which feature distinctive dark barring on the flanks and thighs. A short, shaggy crest and ful...
This hawk-eagle primarily inhabits primary tropical and subtropical lowland rainforests, often favoring areas near clearings, rivers, or forest edges. It is typically found at elevations ranging from sea level up to around 1,500 meters (4,900 ft).
The diet consists primarily of small to medium-sized birds, including various pigeons, hornbills, and turacos, supplemented by arboreal mammals like squirrels and small primates, as well as reptiles and amphibians. It hunts by ambushing prey from a concealed perch or by pursuing them through the ...
Cassin's Hawk-Eagle is a highly secretive and largely solitary diurnal raptor, typically observed singly or in pairs. It employs a sit-and-wait foraging strategy, perching motionless for extended periods within the forest canopy, often concealed by foliage, before swooping down on unsuspecting pr...
Cassin's Hawk-Eagle is a resident species found exclusively within the tropical rainforest belt of West and Central Africa. Its distribution extends from Sierra Leone and Liberia in the west, eastward through Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republi...
Least Concern
- Cassin's Hawk-Eagle is named after John Cassin, an American ornithologist of the 19th century. - Despite its 'hawk-eagle' designation, it is considered a 'true eagle' and placed within the genus *Aquila*, alongside formidable raptors like the Golden Eagle. - It is one of the most difficult Afri...