Long-crested Eagle

Afrikaans name: Langkuifarend

Long-crested Eagle in flight

Photo © Steven Herbert

Lophaetus occipitalis

The Long-crested Eagle is quite common over most of KwaZulu-Natal as well as parts of Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

It is a medium-sized eagle that is often seen sitting on telegraph poles alongside the road. It has a distinctive crest that juts out at the back of its head.

Long-crested Eagles catch a variety of prey including small mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and insects. It will eat fruit, such as figs, at times.

Photo © Steven Herbert

Although the Long-crested Eagle pairs for life they are normally seen singly.

They breed in late winter and spring. One or two eggs are laid in a nest made of twigs. Both sexes build the nest but only the female incubates the eggs. The male brings food for her and the nestlings.

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References and further reading

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 130

Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Author: Peter Steyn - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 99

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Year Published: 1992 - Page: 16

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 16

Eagles, Hawks & Falcons of the World - Author: Leslie Brown and Dean Amadon - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 690

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 54

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 124

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 120

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 100

The Status & Conservation of Birds of Prey in the Transvaal - Author: W. Tarboton and D. Allan - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 47

List of South African Birds