Gurneys Eagle (Aquila gurneyi)

Gurneys Eagle

[order] ACCIPITRIFORMES | [family] Accipitridae | [latin] Aquila gurneyi | [authority] Gray, 1860 | [UK] Gurneys Eagle | [FR] Aigle de Gurney | [DE] Molukkenadler | [ES] Aguila Moluquena | [NL] Molukkenarend

Subspecies

Genus Species subspecies Region Range
Aquila gurneyi AU New Guinea, Moluccas

Genus

Members of the genus Aquila have long, broad wings and a medium tail. There are currently fourteen species of large predominantly dark-coloured eagles in the genus Aquila. This genus has a worldwide distribution.

Physical charateristics

This eagle is mainly dark brown to black, with paler undersides to its flight feathers and a rounded tail. Its body length is 74-86 cm; with a wingspan of between 1.7 and 1.9 m. Females are larger than males. Its wings are held level when gliding.


wingspan min.: 170 cm wingspan max.: 190 cm
size min.: 74 cm size max.: 86 cm
incubation min.: 0 days incubation max.: 0 days
fledging min.: 0 days fledging max.: 0 days
broods: 0   eggs min.: 0  
      eggs max.: 0  

Range

Australasia : New Guinea, Moluccas. Aquila gurneyi is a wide-ranging species of the Moluccas, Indonesia and New Guinea (Papua, formerly Irian Jaya, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea).

Habitat

Occurs in extensive areas of primary rainforest and swamp forest; forages over cleared, coastal areas, and patrols seashores. Perches in open forest edge and in treetops, occurring singly or in pairs. In the Moluccas, it inhabits primary lowland and hill forest and also ranges over coastal areas and coconut plantations. Some thought that it seems to favor small oceanic islands. Hunts over treetops and by flying low over nearby open areas; often soars high above the forest during the heat of the day. Usually seen singly, occasionally in pairs or threes (family groups) .

Reproduction

No data

Feeding habits

It feeds on mammals such as cuscuses and also large lizards. Forages by flying low above forest canopy or perching high up.

Video Gurneys Eagle

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq_SjxwnOCM

copyright: Josep del Hoyo


Conservation

This species is classified as Near Threatened because it has a moderately small population which is declining owing to habitat loss.
It clearly occurs at low population densities and is likely to be declining slowly through habitat loss and degradation.
Gurneys Eagle status Near Threatened

Migration

Sedentary

Distribution map

Gurneys Eagle distribution range map

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