CROWNED EAGLE

The most powerful eagle in Africa.  Crowned eagles are not the largest eagles in Africa. martial eagles claim that title, but they are the most powerful.  Their legs are thick, and they have a very long talon on each back toe that helps them kill animals more than four times their size.  Crowned eagles live in the tall woodland forest and rain forests of Africa.  They are often seen on Africa's savannas as well.  Built for flying among trees, the crowned eagle's wings are short and broad.  These features allow the eagle to fly easily through the branches.

Crowned eagles live in forests, mountains, and grasslands in south-eastern and central Africa.  Hunting big game.  As the most powerful eagle in Africa, the crowned eagle is able to kill animals weighing up to 44 pounds (20 kilograms).  The eagle's long hind talon helps break the prey's spine.  A favourite method of hunting is to sit in a tree overlooking a waterhole or clearing and then simply drop down onto the prey.  When hunting monkeys, a crowned eagle flies over the forest canopy until a troop of monkeys can be heard.  The eagle lands on a branch and tries to get as close as possible to the monkeys without being seen before attacking.