Template:POTD/2023-11-25
_3.jpg)
The long-crested eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis) is an African bird of prey. Like all eagles, it is in the family Accipitridae. It is characterised by the feathers making up the shaggy crest. It is found throughout mid- to southern-Africa with differing home ranges due to food availability and suitable habitat area but lives mainly on forest edges and near moist areas. Breeding usually occurs year-round depending on food availability with 1 to 2 eggs being laid as is characteristic by raptors. Furthermore, as a raptor species, it commonly eats smaller mammals, however other vertebrates and invertebrates are also consumed. This long-crested eagle was photographed in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda.Photograph credit: User:Charles J. Sharp