The Bateleur eagle is a distinctive and colorful bird of prey found throughout sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Arabia. Known for its short tail and very long wings, the Bateleur is a medium-sized eagle that appears almost tailless when flying, which contributes to its name "Bateleur," French for "street performer" or "tightrope walker."
This eagle is striking in appearance, with adults displaying a deep black color contrasted by bright red facial skin, a red beak, and legs. Its underwing coverts are white, and the wings themselves show a vibrant mix of black, grey, and white. The Bateleur's dramatic looks are complemented by its agile flight, often seen gliding low over the savannah or performing complex aerial acrobatics.
Bateleurs prefer open habitats such as savannah and semi-desert regions where they hunt a variety of prey, including birds, reptiles, and small mammals. They are also known to scavenge, making them opportunistic feeders. This eagle plays a vital role in its ecosystem by helping control populations of these smaller creatures.
The Bateleur is currently listed as endangered, facing threats from habitat loss, poisoning, and collisions with power lines. Conservation efforts are increasingly important to ensure the survival of this spectacular eagle.
When a lot of our readers think about eagles, they might be thinking about the iconic and familiar symbol of the United States, the Bald Eagle. Did you know that there are more than 60 recognized species of eagle? This cosmopolitan group of birds is found on every continent except Antarctica. Eagles belong to the taxonomic family Accipitridae, a group of birds of prey that also includes hawks, kites, and harriers. Read more »
The Bateleur is a beautiful and rather colorful species of eagle found in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and Arabia. The name Bateleur means "Street Performer" in French. The bird is so named particularly after tight-rope walkers, because of its habit of rocking while... Read more »
