The martial eagle is the king of the African skies. A nine-foot wingspan makes it the biggest eagle on the continent. This bird of prey soars three miles high, and it has such an "eagle eye" it can spot large victims from this great height. The martial eagle attacks with a spectacular dive; it builds up so much speed that the eagle often kills its victim instantly on impact.
In Focus: This eagle has some of the best vision in the natural world. The bird can spot small prey on the ground from a mile in the sky, and large prey from up to three miles up.
Strip Tool: Like all birds of prey, this eagle has a strong, hooked beak that ends in a sharp point. This looks like a deadly weapon, but the bird uses it mostly to tear meat from the bodies of its victims, which it kills with blows from its sharp talons.
Sudden Impact[]
With its talons down, the eagle is set to strike.
When a martial eagle spots its prey on the ground, the bird zooms headfirst in a dive directly toward its target. With hundreds or even thousands of feet between itself and the intended victim, the bird can accelerate to such speeds that the force of impact alone is usually fatal when the eagle strikes with its sharp talons. (There are even reports that the eagle has knocked people right off their feet!) After killing its prey, such as a baby gazelle, the martial eagle usually carries its meal into a tree to dine.
Spread Eagle: This big bird of prey has a wingspan that stretches nine feet. It glides on columns of warm air (called thermals) to climb great heights without using up the valuable energy it needs to strike prey.
Winging It: The martial eagle does most everything in the air, including its breeding ritual. When preparing to mate, a male and female climb high, then lock talons in mid-air. The two tumble downward while in the act of mating.
Hard Fought Meal[]
If close to the ground when it spots a potential victim, the martial eagle sometimes can't make a one-hit kill and has to fight. The eagle swoops down and unleashes a series of kicks. If the prey stands its ground or fights back, the eagle holds its wings wide and hisses to intimidate the animal. If the eagle can land enough slashing blows, its prey will bleed to death.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The martial eagle is featured on several Monster Mania cards:
- It is first featured in Odd Creature Out on Monster Mania 61.
- It is later featured on the Monster Recharge board for Nightmares of Nature on Monster Mania 84.