Wedge-tailed Eagle

Australia's largest raptor or bird of prey, various shades of browns, black & gold depending on maturity of the individual, large thick sharply curved beak, large tallons on feet, feathered legs or 'britches', call is a series of whistles or cackles, characteristic wedge-shaped tail seen in flight, wing span can reach over 2 metres. Prefers perching on taller objects rather than the ground as it can gain more lift with those huge wings, when seen taking off from the ground they can be quite slow. Often seen circling high in the sky on thermal air currents without the need to use much energy with wing beats. Eye sight is incredibly keen. Once much more common but numbers reduced since European settlement for many reasons. The Tasmanian sub-species is listed as endangered.