Gurney’s Eagles, Aquila gurneyi, is a large eagle in the family Accipitridae.
Identification
This eagle is mainly dark brown to black, with paler undersides to its flight feathers and a rounded tail. Its body length is 74–86 cm; with a wingspan of between 1.7 and 1.9 m. Females are larger than males. Its wings are held level when gliding.
Range and habitat
Gurney’s Eagle is found in New Guinea and adjacent islands westwards to the Moluccas. It has been recorded from Saibai and Boigu islands in north-western Torres Strait, thus putting it on the Australian bird list. it inhabits rainforest, swamp forest, and adjacent cultivated and coastal areas.
Diet / Feeding
It probably feeds mainly on mammals and reptiles.
Conservation
Gurney’s Eagle occurs at low population densities and is likely to be declining slowly through habitat loss and degradation. Considered to be Near Threatened. Listed on CITES Appendix II.
