Shadow's StorySpecies: Bateleur Eagle
Hatch Date: Unknown
Shadow arrived at the World Bird Sanctuary on on January 18, 1987, as a young bird, from a program in Florida. He was quick to learn the routine for birds in our education program. Bateleur eagles are very striking animals, and Shadow has become a great favorite with his audiences. Since he is an exotic species, and not adapted to Missouri's cold weather, he enjoys the comfort of a heat lamp during the winter.
Bateleur eagles are known for their spectacular courtship flights, the male often performing 360 rolls while the female flies on her back. Some African tribes revere this eagle. They believe that they will be victorious in battle if the eagle flies over the enemy! Even though it is fairly common throughout most of its range, it has become quite rare in the southern part of its range due to habitat loss and persecution by humans.
Since Shadow is not always on display at the Nature Center, and often spends his summers at our zoo shows, adoptive parents should call WBS Adopt A Bird Coordinator at 636-861-3225 to arrange a good time for their visit.
To adopt Shadow, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $150 and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: SHADOW. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!
Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:
Hatch Date: Unknown
Shadow arrived at the World Bird Sanctuary on on January 18, 1987, as a young bird, from a program in Florida. He was quick to learn the routine for birds in our education program. Bateleur eagles are very striking animals, and Shadow has become a great favorite with his audiences. Since he is an exotic species, and not adapted to Missouri's cold weather, he enjoys the comfort of a heat lamp during the winter.
Bateleur eagles are known for their spectacular courtship flights, the male often performing 360 rolls while the female flies on her back. Some African tribes revere this eagle. They believe that they will be victorious in battle if the eagle flies over the enemy! Even though it is fairly common throughout most of its range, it has become quite rare in the southern part of its range due to habitat loss and persecution by humans.
Since Shadow is not always on display at the Nature Center, and often spends his summers at our zoo shows, adoptive parents should call WBS Adopt A Bird Coordinator at 636-861-3225 to arrange a good time for their visit.
To adopt Shadow, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $150 and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: SHADOW. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!
Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:
- *A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
- your personal visit.
- * Certificate of Adoption
- * Color photo of the bird you've adopted
- * Sponsorship Card
- * One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
- * Life History and Natural History of the bird
- * 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
- * Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
- * Discounts on WBS Special Events
- * WBS Decal
Natural History
bateleur eagle
Terathopius ecaudatus
Description adult male—head and neck black; back, upper-tail coverts and tail chestnut; median and lesser-wing coverts brown with whitish tips; greater coverts black; primaries black above, pure white below with a black tip; body below black, under-tail coverts chestnut; under-wing coverts white; bare skin of face, cere, and legs—bright red; eyes brown; very short tails and long wings; develop adult plumage at 5-6 years
Sex: female—similar to male, but whole of upper-wing coverts brown with grey secondaries, with white on inner web; black tips on white underside of wing quills—narrower than those of the male
Age: 20-25 years
Length: 24 in.
Wingspan: 5-1/2 – 6 ft.
Weight: 4 – 6-1/2 lbs.
Habitat: open woodlands and tree savannas
Status: Threatened
Range: throughout Africa south of the Sahara, occasionally wandering to South Arabia
Behavior: monogamous; build large stick nests in trees or on top of nests built by other birds; female lays 1 egg; incubation is 52-59 days; young fledges in 3-4 months, but may spend up to 4 more months with parents; best kown for their spectacular aerial displays
Diet: mainly carrion; also reptiles, mammals and small birds
Vocalization: generally silent, but capable of making loud screams
√ The Bateleur’s feet and facial color can vary from a pale color to brilliant red, depending on the mood of the bird
√ Native name for this bird is Chapungu. They believe it is good luck if the bird flies over their house or village
Adopt A Bird profiles are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.
bateleur eagle
Terathopius ecaudatus
Description adult male—head and neck black; back, upper-tail coverts and tail chestnut; median and lesser-wing coverts brown with whitish tips; greater coverts black; primaries black above, pure white below with a black tip; body below black, under-tail coverts chestnut; under-wing coverts white; bare skin of face, cere, and legs—bright red; eyes brown; very short tails and long wings; develop adult plumage at 5-6 years
Sex: female—similar to male, but whole of upper-wing coverts brown with grey secondaries, with white on inner web; black tips on white underside of wing quills—narrower than those of the male
Age: 20-25 years
Length: 24 in.
Wingspan: 5-1/2 – 6 ft.
Weight: 4 – 6-1/2 lbs.
Habitat: open woodlands and tree savannas
Status: Threatened
Range: throughout Africa south of the Sahara, occasionally wandering to South Arabia
Behavior: monogamous; build large stick nests in trees or on top of nests built by other birds; female lays 1 egg; incubation is 52-59 days; young fledges in 3-4 months, but may spend up to 4 more months with parents; best kown for their spectacular aerial displays
Diet: mainly carrion; also reptiles, mammals and small birds
Vocalization: generally silent, but capable of making loud screams
√ The Bateleur’s feet and facial color can vary from a pale color to brilliant red, depending on the mood of the bird
√ Native name for this bird is Chapungu. They believe it is good luck if the bird flies over their house or village
Adopt A Bird profiles are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.
3 comments:
He is absolutely stunning!!
Thank you!
He really knows it!
Their feet are stunningly red! It's one the most amazing colors you'll ever see (and for me, that's saying something because I'm colorblind ;) ). His flying is just incredible!!
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