African Hawk-Eagle
Aquila (Hieraaetus) spilogaster

The African hawk-eagle is an eagle of open country, often seen near water where it hunts other birds that come to drink. The upper three flight photos of an adult and a juvenile were taken in Tarangire (10-17). The 3rd row adult in flight was seen in Silale swamp (2-16), courtesy of Paul Oliver. The left 4th row pair was photographed at Ruaha 11-08), courtesy of Skyler Russell. The juvenile in flight (Arusha NP, 3-16) is courtesy of Emily Carter Mitchell. The other birds before the break were seen in Tarangire and at Nanja Dam. Click the left 7th row adult to see 20 enlargements including recent fledge, juveniles, immatures and flight photos.
The juvenile in the lower three photos was seen at Lake Eyasi (4-10), courtesy of Nani Schmeling; the ID was debated as follows. Juvenile Ayre's and African hawk-eagles are similar. Suggestive of Ayre's is the pale scaling on the back and the pale breast and area behind the eye. Suggestive of African is the lack of a crest, the streaking on the upper breast and the pale, almost absent, barring on the tail.