Tawny Eagle – Max

Max was hatched at Natural Encounters Inc. in Winter Haven, Florida and within a year of his hatch date was acquired by World Bird Sanctuary as an additional eagle species to be used in education programs, along with his brother Diablo. Max quickly stood out due to his calm demeanor and impressive flying skills, and as such has spent time doing both zoo show programming as well as education programs onsite at our Office of Wildlife Learning.

$29.00$129.00

Description

HATCH YEAR: 2002

FUN FACTS ABOUT MAX

  • A very talkative bird, Max likes to bark to greet people he knows (just like his brother), and if a certain individual is one of his favorite handlers they may also get “ribbits” in greeting.
  • World Bird Sanctuary has recently acquired a mate for Max, and we hope that when ready, their introduction goes well. Our goal is to use them in our conservation department, so that they can hopefully contribute to the Species Survival Plan for Tawny Eagles in their native range.

SPECIES FACTS

Scientific Name:

  • Aquila rapax.

Distribution:

  • Common resident but locally threatened. Range includes Rumania east through south Russia, south Siberian and Kirghi steppes east through Transbaikalia to Mongolia; south through Arabia, India and in most of Africa.

Habitat:

  • Desert, semi-desert, steppes, and open savannah.

Diet:

  • Mostly fresh carrion; mammals up to rabbit size, small to medium rodents, lizards, snakes, seasonal insects, birds up to the size of a guinea fowl.

Behavior:

  • Often pirates food from other raptors; kills prey on the ground.
  • Nest between March and July on a large stick platform in trees, usually Acacia; usually lay 2 eggs that are white, plain or blotchy with rusty red and gray; the incubation period is 42-44 days with one chick usually killing the other; only the northern populations are migratory; can be found in concentrations where food is plentiful.
  • Vocalization is a hoarse, sharp barking “kyow”; rather silent except in nuptial display or aggression.

Identification:

  • Medium to large raptor with a variably tawny head and upper body.
  • Hooked bill and fully feathered legs.
  • Rounded tail and long wings.
  • Females are larger than the males; the females may be darker and more streaked; immature birds are paler then the adults.
  • Also known as the Steppe Eagle.

Additional information

Adoption Level

Fan, Friend, Sponsor