African Crowned Eagles 4 Gorillas 6 Gray Wolves 8 Green Anacondas 10 Honey Badgers 12 Jaguars 14 Leafcutter Ants 16 Oxen 18 Rhinoceros Beetles 20 Rhinoceroses 22 Saltwater Crocodiles 24 Tigers 26 Fact Sheet 28 Glossary 30 For More Information 31 Index 32 About the Author 32 TABLE OF CONTENTS
The African crowned eagle is the most powerful eagle species in the world It weighs between 10 and 12 pounds 4 5 to 5 4 kg but hunts a variety of larger animals In addition to other birds the African crowned eagle can kill adult mongooses and porcupines African crowned eagles live up to 14 years These strong birds live in forests rain forests and savannas in Africa The African crowned eagle’s long tail and short wings help it fly in between the trees in search of prey African crowned eagles have thick legs They use these super-strong limbs for attacking their prey Long sharp talons help African crowned eagles grab other animals As the eagles catch their prey the talons can break the animal’s spine This move often kills the prey instantly Crowned eagles have long crest feathers with white tips on their heads AFRICAN CROWNED EAGLES GRASP THEIR PREY 1 4
Some of the eagle’s prey is more than four times its size African crowned eagles often prey on samango and vervet monkeys If the prey outweighs the eagle it will swoop to the ground to eat where the animal is But the eagle can carry a 17-pound 7 7-kg vervet monkey back to its nest 8 Size in feet 2 4 m of some African crowned eagle nests African crowned eagles live in the forests of central and southeastern Africa African crowned eagles nest in trees as high as 40 to 150 feet 12 to 46 m from the ground One of the strongest parts of the eagle’s body is its wings Long before they can fly young birds flap their wings over and over to build their flight muscles Female African crowned eagles are usually larger than the males The eagle’s talons allow it to take down its prey without a fight 5
