OBSERVATIONS ON THE AFRICAN HAWK-EAGLE

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Abstract
Steyn, P. 1975. Observations on the African Hawk-Eagle. Ostrich 46:87-105. Observations extending over 12 years were made on two pairs of African Hawk-Eagles Hieraaetus spilogaster at Essexvale, Rhodesia. Details on various aspects of adult behaviour are given, particularly on hunting methods and calls. Nest repair usually took about 4–5 weeks. and limited observations indicated that the male does most of the work. Incubation is done mostly by the female, the male relieving her when he brings prey. The incubation period is 43 ± 1 day. Details are given of parental behaviour during the fedging period; time on the nest showed a progressive decline although both adults still perched in the. nest tree a great deal. The male provided most of the prey. The growth and behaviour of the eaglet Is described; usually the eaglet becomes a “brancher” before its first flight which, in four cases, occurred between 61–71 days. Post-of edping attachment to the nest lasted about three weeks in one case. Frief mention is made on the development of adult plumage. Birds made up 74%. mammals 25% and reptiles 1% of 104 prey items recorded at Essexvale. Gamebirds are preferred. The two nests had completely different breeding histories. One pair reared no young while the replacement rate of the other pair was 0,83 voung/pair/year. The combined replacement rate of the two pairs was 0,48 young/pair/year. There appear to be no records of two eaglets being reared together in southern Africa.