Crowned Eagle

African predator · bird of prey · forest hunter

Mighty African hunter. The crowned eagle is a huge bird of prey that lives in the forests of sub-Saharan Africa, hunting from the treetops for monkeys, small mammals, and other prey. It's built like a super-strong flying machine with powerful talons and incredible eyesight.

Forest and woodland home. These eagles love riparian woodlands and forests where trees grow thick and rivers run nearby. In Southern Africa, you'll only find them in the eastern areas where their forest homes are still healthy and wild.

Unique genus name. The crowned eagle is the only living member of the genus Stephanoaetus, which means it's the last survivor of its special bird family. This makes it extra special in the bird world.

Lost cousin in Madagascar. A second crowned eagle species used to live on the island of Madagascar, but it went extinct after humans arrived there thousands of years ago. We only know about it through fossils and old bones.