Wedge-tailed Eagle

Identification

The wedge-tailed eagle is Australia's largest bird of prey, a massive brown-to-black raptor unmistakable in flight and perch alike. Adults reach lengths of up to 1.06 metres (3 ft 6 in) with wingspans reaching a maximum of 2.84 metres (9 ft 4 in). The species is instantly recognizable by its distinctive wedge-shaped tail, long and broad wings, fully feathered legs, and powerful build. Other identifying features include an elongated upper mandible and a strong beak befitting one of the world's most powerful avian predators.

Range & Habitat

The wedge-tailed eagle ranges across most of mainland Australia, extending south to Tasmania and north to southern New Guinea, inhabiting virtually every habitat type the continent offers. These highly generalist birds reside in deserts, semi-deserts, plains, mountainous regions, and forests—even occasionally venturing into tropical rainforests. Despite this adaptability, they show a preference for landscapes with varied topography that combines rocky areas, open terrain, and native woodlots, particularly eucalyptus stands that provide both hunting ground and nesting sites.

Behaviour & Diet

As one of the continent's most generalized and powerful predators, wedge-tailed eagles hunt an impressively broad range of prey including birds, reptiles, and small mammals. However, they are primarily mammal hunters, with a particular preference for marsupials, including surprisingly large macropods. The introduction of European rabbits has proven enormously beneficial to the species, which now hunt these and other invasive fauna in large volumes. Young eagles frequently supplement their diet with carrion. These eagles typically pair for several years, possibly for life, constructing large stick nests in the largest trees available and laying one to four eggs, though two is typical. Usually one or two fledglings fledge successfully before dispersing widely.

Best Time & Places to See It

Wedge-tailed eagles are distributed across Australia's varied landscapes, making them potentially observable throughout the country wherever suitable habitat exists. Look for them soaring high on thermals over rocky areas, open plains, and eucalyptus woodlands. The species is highly wary and timid around humans, so patient observation from a distance is essential. While reasonably resilient and now found in numbers equal to or exceeding pre-European colonization levels, nesting birds are exceptionally sensitive to human disturbance and may abandon their young if approached.

Photography Tips

Photographing wedge-tailed eagles requires patience, distance, and respect for their wariness. Your best opportunities come from observing them in open terrain where they hunt or soar on thermals—bringing a telephoto lens is essential. Avoid approaching active nest sites, as human interference is known to cause breeding failures and nest abandonment. Early mornings over rocky, open country with good thermal activity offer the best chances of capturing these magnificent birds in flight, showcasing their distinctive silhouette and powerful wings.