| Gurney's eagle | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Accipitriformes |
| Family: | Accipitridae |
| Genus: | Aquila |
| Species: | A. gurneyi |
| Binomial name | |
| Aquila gurneyi Gray, GR, 1861 | |
Gurney's eagle (Aquila gurneyi) is a largeeagle in the family Accipitridae. It is found inNew Guinea andWallacea, and is an occasional vagrant toAustralia.
The common name and Latin binomial commemorate the British banker and amateur ornithologistJohn Henry Gurney (1819–1890).[2]
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This eagle is a fairly large species, though mid-sized as a member of the genusAquila. It is mainly dark brown to black, with paler undersides to its flight feathers and a rounded tail. Its body length is 74–86 cm (29–34 in) with a wingspan of between 1.65 and 1.9 m (5 ft 5 in and 6 ft 3 in). Females are larger than males. One immature female weighed 3.06 kg (6.7 lb).[3][4] Males are estimated to weigh about 2.21 kg (4.9 lb) in this species.[5] Its wings are held level when gliding. It feeds onmammals (such ascuscuses),reptiles,fish, andbirds.
Juveniles have brown scapular feathers, wing coverts, and back, mottled with gray and buff. The black tail is faintly barred, and the head and underparts are light brown fading into a cream-colored belly and legs.
Gurney's eagle is found from the Moluccas to Irian Jaya and most of New Guinea, from sea level to 1500 meters above sea level. It has been recorded fromSaibai andBoigu islands in north-westernTorres Strait, thus putting it on theAustralian bird list. It inhabits a wide range of habitats from sea level to the snow line.
Gurney's eagle occurs at low population densities and is likely to be declining slowly through habitat loss and degradation. It is considered to beNear Threatened and is listed onCITES Appendix II.
