Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus)
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Bateleur

Terathopius ecaudatus (Daudin, 1800)

55–70 cmLength2.2 kgWeight

The bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus), also known as the bateleur eagle, is a medium-sized eagle in the family Accipitridae.

Busiest months: July–August and November · Most records: Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania

Endangered

Where and when it's recorded

Busiest months: July–August and November · Most records: Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania

Bateleur has been recorded at 335 of the 8,276 birding hotspots we track, in 31 countries and regions.

Records by month Southern Hemisphere

Where it's recorded most

  1. Tarangire NPTanzania1,043 records
  2. Lake Mburo NPUganda919 records
  3. Nairobi NPKenya622 records
More places
  1. Maasai Mara NR – Mara TriangleKenya587 records
  2. Samburu NRKenya571 records
  3. Serengeti NPTanzania554 records
  4. Maasai Mara NRKenya488 records
  5. Kruger NP – Skukuza CampSouth Africa484 records
  6. Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Ngorongoro CraterTanzania473 records
  7. Buffalo Springs NRKenya446 records

Countries and regions with the most records

KenyaSouth AfricaTanzaniaUgandaBotswanaGhanaNamibiaZambia

eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.

About

The bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus), also known as the bateleur eagle, is a medium-sized eagle in the family Accipitridae. It is often considered a relative of the snake eagles and, like them, it is classified within the subfamily Circaetinae. It is the only member of the genus Terathopius and may be the origin of the "Zimbabwe Bird", the national emblem of Zimbabwe.

Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia

Questions

How big is the Bateleur?

The Bateleur is about 55–70 cm long and weighs around 2.2 kg.

Where does the Bateleur live?

Its breeding range: Africa: widespread. It is most often recorded in Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania.

When is the best time to see the Bateleur?

At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in July, August and November (Southern Hemisphere).

Is the Bateleur endangered?

The IUCN Red List classifies the Bateleur as Endangered.

What does the Bateleur eat?

Main food: Omnivore.

What family is the Bateleur in?

It belongs to the family Kites, Hawks, Eagles (Accipitridae), order Accipitriformes.

At a glance

Length
55–70 cm
Weight
2.2 kg
Habitat
Woodland
Diet
Omnivore
Lifestyle
Varied
Migration
Resident (barely migrates)
Conservation
Endangered
More measurements
Wing
500 mm
Tail
109 mm
Bill
52 mm
Tarsus
65 mm

Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.

Range

Africa: widespread

Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2

Classification

Family
Kites, Hawks, Eagles Accipitridae
Genus
Terathopius

More from the family Kites, Hawks, Eagles

Pearl KitePearl KiteGampsonyx swainsoniiScissor-tailed KiteScissor-tailed KiteChelictinia riocouriiWhite-tailed KiteWhite-tailed KiteElanus leucurusBlack-winged KiteBlack-winged KiteElanus caeruleusBlack-shouldered KiteBlack-shouldered KiteElanus axillarisLetter-winged KiteLetter-winged KiteElanus scriptusAfrican Harrier-HawkAfrican Harrier-HawkPolyboroides typusMadagascar Harrier-HawkMadagascar Harrier-HawkPolyboroides radiatusPalm-nut VulturePalm-nut VultureGypohierax angolensisBearded VultureBearded VultureGypaetus barbatus
Bateleur

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Free to use with credit: “Illustration: Bird Album (birdalbum.com)”. Drawn by AI from a reference photo by Wayne and Pam Osborn. ↗

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