What is a wedge-tailed eagle?
The wedge-tailed eagle is Australia's largest bird of prey, with a wingspan of up to about 2.3 metres. It is named for its long, diamond-shaped tail and lives across most of the continent.
Adult wedge-tailed eagles are dark brown to almost black, while younger birds are lighter and more golden. Females are larger than males. They soar high on thermal currents, sometimes reaching heights of over 1,800 metres.
They eat rabbits, hares, wallabies, lizards and birds, and they often feed on carrion, such as kangaroos killed on outback roads. Pairs sometimes hunt together to catch larger prey.
Nests and protection
Wedge-tailed eagles build huge stick nests in tall trees, sometimes reused and added to for many years. Some nests are more than two metres deep.
The Tasmanian subspecies is endangered, mainly because of habitat loss, wind turbines, power lines and disturbance during breeding.
Wedge-tailed eagles are protected by law across Australia.
Did You Know?
Aboriginal people call the wedge-tailed eagle Bunjil in the Kulin nations of Victoria, where it is a creator being.