Field guide · rare
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Australia’s largest raptor — diamond tail, vast wings, and thermal-riding mastery.
Least Concern
Aquila audax
Overview
Wedge-tailed eagles are Australia’s largest birds of prey, soaring for hours on long, fingered wings. Adults darken to near-black with a distinctive diamond-shaped tail, hunting rabbits, carrion, and other vertebrates across open country.
For Australia collectors, this eagle is a rare sky icon — huge silhouette, wedge tail, and a prize sighting on inland highways and mountain ridges.
- Scientific nameAquila audax
- Length85–105 cm
- Weight3–5.5 kg
- LifespanAround 20–40 years in the wild
- DietRabbits
- ConservationLeast Concern
- RegionAustralian Skies
Habitat
- Open woodland
- Inland plain
- Mountain ridge
- Pastoral country
Open woodland, grasslands, mountains, and arid plains across Australia, nesting in tall trees or on cliffs with wide views for soaring.
Countries found
Field notes
Field scale for the Wedge-tailed Eagle: length around 85-105 cm; weight 3-5.5 kg. Typical lifespan: Around 20-40 years in the wild.
When you are scanning habitat, prioritise open woodland, inland plain, mountain ridge, and pastoral country. Those settings are where a clean look and a usable photo are most likely.
Quick ID anchor: Huge dark eagle with long fingered wings and a diamond-shaped wedge tail. Confirm with behaviour and habitat before you log the discovery.
Where to see one
Australia
In Australia, start at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (Northern Territory). Red centre country where red kangaroos graze at dawn against the backdrop of Uluru.
More context on this destination lives on the Australia expedition page.
Diet
Rabbits, hares, birds, reptiles, and substantial carrion including roadkill.
Hunt from soaring flight or perch, or scavenge in pairs and groups.
Behaviour
Master thermal soarers; pairs defend large breeding territories.
Build huge stick nests in tall trees; often reuse the same site for years.
How to identify
Huge dark eagle with long fingered wings and a diamond-shaped wedge tail.
Pale nape on juveniles; adults nearly black with feathered legs.
Interesting facts
- 01
Australia’s largest raptor, with wingspans often over 2 m.
- 02
Wedge- or diamond-shaped tail is diagnostic in flight.
- 03
Adults are dark brown to black; juveniles are paler tawny.
- 04
Take rabbits, hares, carrion, and other medium prey.
- 05
Build enormous stick nests reused for many seasons.
- 06
Often seen circling high on inland thermals.
Conservation status
Wedge-tailed eagles are Least Concern nationally after recovering from past persecution. Illegal shooting, secondary poisoning, and collision risks still affect local pairs.
Sources: IUCN Red List
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