Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax)

Carrie(previously knows as Tikka), is a new eagle we acquired in 2008, due to the loss of her mate. She was captive bred in the UK in 1997 and has been trained and flown previously. She is now a flying bird at the centre and was flying free only a month after she arrived here (a lot quicker than most of our other eagles). She will continue to be used on our Experience Days and will play a large role in our new 2009 'Wings out of Africa' display team.

IN THE WILD

Origin: Africa and India: in Africa mostly sub-Saharan and in India, Nepal and south and eastern Pakistan.

Diet: Small to medium-sized mammals, some birds and reptiles, insects (mostly in the winter) and frequently carrion. Some birds when in Africa follow the rains and are present when the termites emerge, these form a large part of the diet. They are in fact particularly versatile birds of prey, scavenging and pirating when they can, and hunting when they cannot. In Kruger National Park Tawny Eagles have been observed harassing Bateleurs to the extent that they succeed in pirating about one fifth of the Bateleurs' prey. As Tawny Eagles are partly scavengers, they often become victims of poisoned baits used routinely in carnivore control.

Habitat: Open country in both lowlands and uplands, mostly in drier areas: typically wooded savannah, dry acacia savannah, semi-desert and desert areas, open plains with scattered trees and cultivation. In India, in similar habitats, but is also often found in the vicinity of villages and slaughterhouses.

There are three sub-species of the Tawny Eagle, two in Africa and the Indian race. However all sub-species are polymorphic (many different colour phases). Some are darker and some are very pale.