Verreaux's Eagle

Verreaux's Eagle (Aquila verreauxii), known in its native Africa simply as the Black Eagle, is a large bird of prey. The name commemorates the French naturalist Jules Verreaux's, who visited southern Africa in the early 1700s. The eagle lives throughout Africa, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, usually in mountainous regions. It is about 75 to 95 cm tall and has a wingspan of up to 2.2 m. It is black with a distinct white V marking on its back whilst juveniles are usually light and dark brown with a black face. It is highly territorial and can often be seen with another Verreaux's Eagle, with whom it mates for life. The pair will lay two cream-colored eggs, four days apart in autumn, and these will hatch approximately 45 days later.

It is a specialist hunter of hyraxes (or dassies). The size of its territory often inversely reflects the size of the local hyrax population. Occasionally, it will prey on birds such as guineafowl or mammals of similar size to hyraxes, such as large rodents.

Directions

Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens

Come off at 14th Avenue, and follow M47 (Hendrik Potgieter) to Krugersdorp. After approx 8 kms, turn left into Doreen Road, then right into Malcolm Road (suburb of Ruimsig). The botanical gardens are at the end of the road. Park in the parking lot and make your way through the garden to the falls in the south western corner of the reserve. The nest is on the cliff to the left of the waterfall.

GPS Coordinates
Description	Latitude	Longitude
Entrance to Walter Sisulu	26°05'13.55"S	27°50'42.40"E
Eagle nest	26°05'32.17"S	27°50'23.95"E