Eagles are one of the most popular birds in Australia and also one of the most diverse, with five different types of eagles in Australia.
The wedge-tailed eagle is the largest in Australia, with a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters.
They are found throughout the country but are most common in the southeast.
The white-bellied sea eagle is the second largest eagle in Australia and is found along the coastlines.
They have a white belly and dark back and can be found in the country’s north and south.
The Letter-winged kite is the smallest of the five eagles and is found in the arid inland of Australia.
They are protected in Australia and considered at risk of extinction.
The other two eagles found in Australia are the golden eagle and the little eagle.
So, please read our blog post on different types of eagles in Australia!
1. Grey Head Eagle
The Grey Head Eagle is first on our list of types of eagles in Australia. It’s a species of eagle found in North and South America.
Grey-headed eagles in Australia are some of the largest eagles in the world, with wingspans that can reach up to 7.5 feet.Â
They are easily recognizable by their gray heads and white plumage.
Grey-headed eagles are apex predators in Australia known to prey on large mammals such as deer and elk.
They are also known to scavenge, which means they sometimes eat carrion (dead animals).
Grey-headed eagles in Australia are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and are considered a species of least concern by the IUCN.
However, their populations have declined in recent years due to habitat loss and human activities.
The Grey Head Eagle is a large and powerful bird of prey.
These types of eagles in Australia are known for their large size and thick gray heads, which give them a distinctive name.
The Grey Head Eagle can reach heights of up to three feet and have a wingspan of up to seven feet.
They have sharp talons and beaks, able to seize prey of nearly any size.
Grey Head types of eagles in Australia typically hunt for large mammals such as deer and boars, though they will also scavenge on carrion if necessary.
They have a strong pair bond, often seen hunting and roosting together.
2. White-bellied Eagle
The white-bellied eagle is a majestic bird of prey in various parts of the world.
Though its numbers have dwindled in recent years, the white-bellied eagle is still a force to be reckoned with.
Standing about three feet tall with an eight-foot wingspan, the white-bellied eagle is a sight.
The white-bellied eagles in Australia feed primarily on fish, but they also hunt small mammals and birds.
These birds are powerful flyers and can reach up to 150 miles per hour when attacking their prey.
The white-bellied eagle is a protected species in many parts of the world, and its numbers are slowly starting to rebound.
It is a large bird of prey found in the coastal regions of Australia, Papua New Guinea, and some Pacific islands.
It is a raptor that typically measures between 90 cm and 116 cm in length and has a wingspan of up to 2.1 m.
The head, neck, and underparts of the White-Bellied Eagle are white with a dark brown band on its back. Its eyes, cere, and legs are yellow, while its beak is yellow-gray. Its call is a loud cackling.
White-bellied types of eagles in Australia are diurnal animals, actively searching for food during the day.
They feed primarily on fish and other small animals, including insects and mammals, foraging on the water’s surface or catching it in the air.
White-bellied eagles are solitary birds that mate for life and build nests in tall trees near water. They have a lifespan of 15-20 years.
3. Wedge-tailed Eagle
The wedge-tailed eagle is the largest in Australia, with a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters.
They are found throughout the country but are most common in the southeast.
These majestic eagles in Australia have brown and black plumage with a wedge-shaped tail. They also have distinctive yellow feet, beaks, and heads.
These large eagles feed mainly on small mammals like kangaroos, mice, and rabbits, but they have also eaten lizards, snakes, and birds.
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999) protects Wedge-tailed eagles in Australia.
The wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax) is an iconic bird of prey native to Australia.
It is sometimes called the eaglehawk because it is more compact than other species.Â
The bird is a large bird of prey with a wingspan of up to 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) and a weight of up to 13.2 pounds (6 kilograms).
The bird’s distinctive wedge-shaped tail is thought to be an adaptation that aids in tight maneuverability when flying at high speeds.Â
The male and female wedge-tailed eagles look similar, but females are slightly larger than males.
The wedge-tailed eagle typically has a brown back and wings, a white belly and underside, and a dark gray head and neck.
4. Little Eagle
The little eagle is the smallest of the different eagles in Australia. They are a small species of eagle with a wingspan of up to 115cm.
The little eagle is found mainly in the country’s open woodlands and grassland areas.
Its plumage is predominantly brown but with white patches across the wings and a pale-colored head.
These eagles in Australia mainly feed on small mammals, like hares and rabbits, but they can also eat a variety of insects, birds, reptiles, and rodents.Â
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999) protects the little eagle.
The Little Eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides), also known as the whistling kite, is a medium-sized bird of prey native to Australia.
This species is most commonly found in an open woodland or grassland habitat across eastern Australia.
It has a mostly dark brown body with a lighter chest, while the head is usually pale gray.
Its upper wings and back are speckled with white, while its tail tip is usually banded with white and dark brown feathers.
The Little Eagles’ wingspan can range from 75 to 88 cm, typically 45 to 50 cm long.
The Little Eagle can be seen soaring around 30 to 50 m high in the sky.
They hunt by soaring and watching for potential prey before making a swift and powerful dive.
This species’ diet typically includes small mammals, reptiles, and insects. It will also scavenge for carrion and take advantage of other birds’ kills.
The Little Eagle is primarily solitary and will only pair off during the breeding season.Â
