The martial eagle(Polemaetus Bellicosus) is a large eagle native to Sub-Saharan Africa.It is the only member of the genus,Polemaetus.A species of the booted eagle subfamily (Aquilinae),it has feathering over its tarsus.One of the largest and most powerful species of booted eagles, it is a fairly opportunistic predator that varies its prey selection between mammals, birds and reptiles.Its hunting technique is unique as it is one of few eagle species known to hunt primarily from a high soar,by stooping down on its prey.
The martial eagle is a very large eagle. In total length,it can range between 78cm to 96cm(31 to 38in),with an average of approximately 85.5cm(33.7in).
This powerful raptor lives across savannas, Southern African arid regions and tropical cloud forests on the continent,breeding on tall and large trees suitable to hold their enormous nests.
The talons of the martial eagle are so strong and powerful, they can crush the spine of its prey,often killing them instantly.
Like all other species of eagles,martial eagles use their deadly talons to kill their prey which they seize from the air.
The martial eagle has an extremely acute eyesight(3.0_3.6 times human acuity),partly due to their eye being nearly as big as a human eye.
Due to this power,they can spot potential prey from a very great distance,having been known to be able to spot prey from as far as 5 to 6 km(3.1 to 3.7 mi) away.
This raptor preys on a wide variety of animals including small antelopes like dik-diks,duikers,rodents especially large species, hyraxes,large birds(guineafowls,bustards, francolins,water birds),rabbits and hares,monkeys,venomous snakes,monitor lizards,the young of larger antelope species, warthogs.
They even hunt cubs of lions,leopards,hyenas, jackals, African wolves, African wild dogs and cheetahs, which they will seize once the mother is not paying attention, or absent.
The martial eagle due to its huge size is capable of killing a small human child,often in cases of mistaken identity.
In 2019,a young boy was killed and two others injured by an immature martial eagle in the Ethiopian town of Gaashaamo.
They also attack mongooses, domestic animals especially the young.
cc.Ujsizzle

Hmmmmmmm