The Martial Eagle is the largest eagle in Africa. It swoops down on its prey from high up in the sky, often killing its target in one blow with its massive talons and muscle mass. It reproduces every two years, raising only one chick at a time. So this sighting in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park was a rare and special one.
The adult Martial Eagle ©WMB/notesfromafrica.wordpress.com
Martial Eagle chick ©WMB/notesfromafrica.wordpress.com
©WMB/notesfromafrica.wordpress.com
Note the size of the Martial Eagle nest in relation to the weaver bird nest below which would house many little weaver birds. ©WMB/notesfromafrica.wordpress.com
A closer view of the Martial Eagle nest ©WMB/notesfromafrica.wordpress.com
For more info and stories about the Kalahari see Kalahari Series I – 2009 and Kalahari Series II – 2011.
Notes from Africa | photoblog 
Great photos!
Thanks Debra! 🙂
Very special sighting indeed! I’m envious!
We have been going to the Kgalagadi for over 10 years and this was our first sighting of a chick.
Thank you for the privilege of being there . . . shall look up more . . .
The adult eagles are hard to miss, even from a great distance, but it always pays to look and see what else is in the tree.