Wedge-tailed Eagle

Description:

Australia's largest bird of prey with a wing span that can reach over two metres, with early reports of close to and over three metres. Females and males are similar but brown. black & tan feather colouring varies with age & sex, females usually always lighter. Large beak (pale bluish grey colour), strong large talons on feet, heavy feathered legs, distinctive wedge or diamond shaped tail (White-bellied Sea Eagle also has similar tail shape and body size but colour is much paler usually white belly). Feeds on carrion, other birds, reptiles, wallabies & larger kangaroos, insects, and feral species of mammals such as rabbits & foxes. Nest is extremely large and made up of large and small sticks and twigs to form a platform with a slight centre depression.

Habitat:

Found throughout Australia, but not as common as before European settlement. This one found in arid western NSW flying off from feasting on a dead emu on roadside.