Bunjil (Wedge-tailed Eagle)
Aquila audax
-37.8998, 145.311
Field Notes
Description:
Just like its name "audax", these birds did not seem to care about the flock of hundreds of other shrieking birds (Cockatoos mainly) chasing them away. This was one of three, gliding gently in the warm morning updraft in the valley.
I couldn't gauge the exact size but the average wing span of these birds is 2.3 m.
This one flew close enough for me to catch the pale wash on the under side of the wings and the wedge shape of the tail. A pale beak is also visible.
Habitat:
Spotted near the Dandenong Ranges National Park. Fortunately they are seen more frequently now than in the years past when they were killed by farmers.
Notes:
My favourite bird ! <br>
Bunjils eat both live prey and carrion. They are frequently seen eating roadkill.
Breeding season is from April to September when they have one or two chicks. Interestingly eggs ( upto 3) are laid in large stick nests, a few days apart although incubation starts after the first egg is laid. The first chick is therefore almost always the strongest. <br>
More information in the references. <br>
Bunjil is the indigenous name for this species. <br>
family: Accipitridae
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