Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Raptors

Of all the animal kingdom, my favourite group would have to be raptors, and my favourite of those, the wedge-tailed eagle.




Wedge-tails are most easily identified by their size (they are Australia's largest eagle) and by the distinct shape of their tail, although, as you can see above, the tail does not always stay wedge shaped!




Another identifying feature is the upturned feathers at the end of the wings.

The colour of wedge-tailed eagles varies from golden-brown in young birds to very dark brown in older birds.

My observations of eagles include finding a nest, seeing display flights (which are part of courtship) and seeing eagles catch and consume prey.