Long-crested eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis, photographed along the highway to Tanga, eastern Tanzania, Africa.
Image: Dan Logen, 11 January 2010 [velociraptorize].
Nikon D300, 600 mm lens ISO 800, f/5, 1/640 sec.
Question: This African mystery bird is very distinctive and is fairly common throughout most of the southern portions of this continent. It is often seen at the roadsides, usually perched on a convenient fence or telegraph pole. Any guesses as to why this species is so common alongside roadways?
Response: This is a long-crested eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis. These medium-sized raptors are common throughout much of the African lowlands, south of the Sahara Desert, and are frequently seen perched on a fence or telegraph pole alongside roadways. These birds prey upon small reptiles and mammals, particularly rodents and shrews, which they drop down onto from an exposed perch. Long-crested eagles do not hunt on the wing, nor do they perform an aerial ballet when courting. However, they do make a lot of noise when courting (and at most other times as well).
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