Martial Eagle

Polemaetus bellicosus

With a wingspan of nearly nine feet, the Martial Eagle is one of the two largest eagles in Africa (the other is the Crowned Eagle, Stephanoaetus coronatus). As much as 45% of their diet comprises birds (particularly game birds). Reptiles, especially lizards and snakes, make up 38% and the rest (17%) consists of mammals such as mongooses, baboons, young warthog and impala lambs.

Despite its expansive range across Africa, science regards the Martial Eagle as monotypic (no subspecies).

They are one of the most persecuted bird species in the world. Because of its habit of taking livestock and regionally valuable game, local farmers and game wardens frequently seek to eliminate Martial Eagles. Although the effect of eagles on this prey is almost certainly exaggerated. Currently, the species is classified with the status of Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

I met this bird as my brother-in-law drove me through Kruger National Park in South Africa in 1996. I didn’t have much experience with photography at the time, and my equipment was sub-par.