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Immature Bateleur
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Here another upload from my visit in the bird of prey farm. Hope to see this one soon in South Africa again.
Thanks foor looking
Ref. out of wikipedia
The Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) is a medium-sized eagle in the bird family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as buzzards, kites and harriers. It is the only member of the genus Terathopius and probably the origin of the "Zimbabwe bird", national emblem of Zimbabwe.
This is a common resident species of the open savanna country in Sub-Saharan Africa. It nests in trees, laying a single egg which is incubated by the female for 42 to 43 days, with a further 90 to 125 days until fledging. Bateleurs pair for life, and will use the same nest for a number of years. Unpaired birds, presumably from a previous clutch, will sometimes help at the nest.
The Bateleur is a colourful species with a very short tail (ecaudatus is Latin for tailless) which makes it unmistakable in flight. The adult male is 60 to 75 cm (24 to 30 in) long with a 175 cm (5.75 ft) wingspan. He has black plumage except for the chestnut mantle and tail, grey shoulders, and red facial skin, bill and legs.
The female is similar to the male except that she has grey rather than black secondary flight feathers. Immature birds are brown with white dappling and have greenish facial skin. It takes them seven or eight years to reach full maturity.
The eagle hunts over a territory of 250 square miles a day. The prey of this raptor is mostly birds, including pigeons and sandgrouse, and also small mammals; it also takes carrion.
The Bateleur is generally silent, but on occasions it produces a variety of barks and screams.
"Bateleur" is French for "tight-rope walker". This name describes the bird’s characteristic habit of tipping the ends of its wings when flying, as if catching its balance.
In some countries, the Bateleur is occasionally known as the "Conifer Eagle" or even "Pine Eagle", since its feathers somewhat resemble a conifer cone when it fluffs itself up. |
Alex99, vanderschelden, Adanac has marked this note useful
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great sharp portrait, TFS Ori
- PeterZ
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(49139) - [2008-10-06 8:40]
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Hallo Vivian,
Schitterend portret van een van mijn lievelingsvogels. Dit was het bezoek aan die roofvogelboerderij zeker waard. De kans dat je hem zo in Zuid-Afrika kunt fotograferen is wel erg klein.
Uitstekende scherpte en natuurlijke kleuren. Prachtige compositie. Ik hoop dat je nog meer van dit moois hebt.
Groet,
Peter
Hallo Viv,
Ik dacht al dat ie in Kruger was gefotografeerd:-).
Dan zou je veel geluk moeten gehad hebben, denk ik.
De scherpte zit goed op de voorkant met als resultaat dat zowel bek en oog goed scherp zijn. Prachtige vogel.
Hoop dat je hem kunt fotograferen in Kruger...
Goede reis toegewenst en veel plezier...
Bedankt
Annick
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- Alex99
(23735)
- [2008-10-07 0:34]
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Hi Vivian.
You have created a nice portrait of a very cute bird. Its look is charming. I like nice reproduction of the bird's eyes, beak and feathers. Deep colors are very impressive too. My best wishes and TFS.
Alexei.
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- Adanac
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 1 N: 6188]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(21378) - [2008-10-07 3:16]
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Hello Vivian,
WOW, amazingly sharp and beautiful portrait of this raptor. Thank you for the great work Vivian.
Rick
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3032 W: 11 N: 2351]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(43778)