# Crowned Eagle (*Stephanoaetus coronatus*) The Crowned Eagle is a powerful bird with a striking crown of feathers on its head. It is known for its impressive hunting skills and can soar high in the sky, making it a magnificent sight to see. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** African Crowned Eagle ![Crowned Eagle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Crowned_Eagle_%28Stephanoaetus_coronatus%29%252C_at_Ndumo_Nature_Reserve%252C_KwaZulu-Natal%252C_South_Africa_%2828947411865%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crowned_Eagle_%28Stephanoaetus_coronatus%29%252C_at_Ndumo_Nature_Reserve%252C_KwaZulu-Natal%252C_South_Africa_%2828947411865%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Crowned Eagle has a striking black and white crest on its head and a dark grey-brown back. Its underparts are rufous with heavy black barring, contrasting with bright yellow legs and powerful black talons. This regal crest makes it easily identifiable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Accipitriformes - **Family:** Accipitridae - **Genus:** Stephanoaetus ## Interesting facts - A Crowned Eagle often takes two years to raise one chick! - Their crown of feathers can be raised when excited! - These eagles have eyesight eight times better than a human's! - They build enormous nests, up to 2.5 meters deep! ## Special abilities - **Crushing Grip:** Crowned Eagle has huge, powerful talons that help them grip and crush the bones of their prey. - **Forest Hunter:** Crowned Eagle can navigate dense forest canopies because of its relatively short, broad wings, allowing surprise attacks. - **Mighty Lift:** Crowned Eagle can lift prey weighing up to its own body weight because of its incredible strength and powerful wing beats. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 80-90 cm - **Wingspan:** 160-200 cm - **Weight:** 2.5-4.7 kg - **Lifespan:** 14-15 years - **Speed:** 90 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-2 - **Incubation:** 49-51 days ## Diet & Feeding This mighty eagle hunts and eats medium-sized mammals like monkeys and antelopes in the African forests! - **Primary Foods:** Monkeys, Tree hyraxes, Duikers, Genets, Guineafowl - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Mona Monkey](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mona-monkey) (*Cercopithecus mona*) — Primary prey in forested habitats. - **Hunts:** [Blue Duiker](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-duiker) (*Philantomba monticola*) — Hunts for these small forest antelopes. - **Hunts:** Tree Hyrax (*Dendrohyrax arboreus*) — Often preys on these nocturnal tree dwellers. - **Shelter:** Sycamore Fig (*Ficus sycomorus*) — Often builds its massive nest in large fig trees. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Crested](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crested): Crested describes animals possessing a prominent tuft of feathers, hair, or skin on their head. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Always watch birds from a distance and never try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Crowned Eagle? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Crowned Eagle? 80-90 cm ### What is Crowned Eagle's wingspan? 160-200 cm ### How much does Crowned Eagle weigh? 2.5-4.7 kg ### How long does Crowned Eagle live? 14-15 years ### How fast can Crowned Eagle move? 90 km/h ### What does Crowned Eagle eat? This mighty eagle hunts and eats medium-sized mammals like monkeys and antelopes in the African forests! ### Where is Crowned Eagle usually found? Forests ## Watch - [Play video: Crowned Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/videos/crowned-eagle) - [YouTube](https://www.snappit.app/published_manually) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Crowned Eagle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crowned-eagle)