The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Long-crested Eagle
Afrikaans name: Langkuifarend
Long-crested Eagle in flight
Photo © Steven Herbert
Lophaetus occipitalis
The Long-crested Eagle is quite common over most of KwaZulu-Natal as well as parts of Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
It is a medium-sized eagle that is often seen sitting on telegraph poles alongside the road. It has a distinctive crest that juts out at the back of its head.
Long-crested Eagles catch a variety of prey including small mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and insects. It will eat fruit, such as figs, at times.
Photo © Steven Herbert
Although the Long-crested Eagle pairs for life they are normally seen singly.
They breed in late winter and spring. One or two eggs are laid in a nest made of twigs. Both sexes build the nest but only the female incubates the eggs. The male brings food for her and the nestlings.
References and further reading
Vanishing Eagles - Author: Philip Burton - Published: 1987 - Page: 105Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 62
The Status & Conservation of Birds of Prey in the Transvaal - Author: W. Tarboton and D. Allan - Published: 1984 - Page: 47
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 55
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 98
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 81
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 100
Sasol Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands - Author: Alan and Meg Kemp - Published: 1998 - Page: 94
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 120
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 124
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 100
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 164
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 92
Know your Birds of Prey - Author: - Published: 0 - Page: 37
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 164
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 74
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 54
Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 114
Eagles, Hawks & Falcons of the World - Author: Leslie Brown and Dean Amadon - Published: 1989 - Page: 690
Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 16
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 16
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 41
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 50
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 70
Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 16
Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1985 - Page: 99
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 74
An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Published: 1974 - Page: 102
An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Published: 1974 - Page: 16
African Birds of Prey - Author: Leslie Brown - Published: 1970 - Page: 99
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 130
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 130
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 72