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|conservation=Least concern<ref>https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22696134/93546422</ref>

|conservation=Least concern<ref>https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22696134/93546422</ref>

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The '''long-crested eagle''' (''Lophaetus occipitalis'') is a species of [[bird of prey]] of the family Accipitridae, and found throughout much of sub-Saharan [[Africa]].

The '''long-crested eagle''' (''Lophaetus occipitalis'') is a species of [[bird of prey]] of the family Accipitridae found throughout much of sub-Saharan [[Africa]].

==Description==

==Description==

Long-crested eagles are medium-sized, about the size of a [[common buzzard]] (''Buteo buteo''), but have a longer tail, legs, and are significantly heavier.  It is about 21 to 23 inches in length, a wingspan of 44 to 50.6 inches, and weigh 32 to 53 ounces.  Females are slightly larger than males.  It is blackish-brown to black in color overall, with patches or mottling of a slightly-lighter brown.  Both primary and secondary flight feathers, and tail white with dark barring; when viewed from above, only the primaries are marked in this fashion.  The head is crowned with several feathers jutting towards the back in an elongated crest.  The iris is golden yellow over orange to reddish brown, the beak yellow and black.  The legs are white and speckled with dark brown, and feathered to the toes.  Juvenile birds differ little from adults, with less banding on the tail, and brownish banding on the wings.

Long-crested eagles are medium-sized, about the size of a [[common buzzard]] (''Buteo buteo''), but have a longer tail and legs.  They are also significantly heavier.  They are about 21 to 23 inches in length, 44 to 50.6 inches in wingspan, and 32 to 53 ounces in weight.  Females are slightly larger than males.  The birds are blackish-brown to black in color overall, with patches or mottling of a slightly-lighter brown.  The head is crowned with several feathers jutting towards the back in an elongated crest.  The iris is golden yellow over orange to reddish brown, the beak yellow and black.  The legs are white and speckled with dark brown, and feathered to the toes.  Juvenile birds differ little from adults, with less banding on the tail, and brownish banding on the wings.

The calls have been described as a long, shrill ''"kik-kik-kik-kik-kiii-ih"'', or a display call ''"keeee-eh"'' or ''"keee-ee-af"''<ref>https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Lophaetus-occipitalis</ref>.

The calls have been described as a long, shrill ''"kik-kik-kik-kik-kiii-ih"'', or a display call ''"keeee-eh"'' or ''"keee-ee-af"''<ref>https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Lophaetus-occipitalis</ref>.

==Reproduction==

==Reproduction==

Nests are built 20 to 60 feet in trees below the canopy, and they will often reuse the abandoned nests of other birds.  The clutch consists of 1-2 white, brown-spotted eggs and is mainly incubated by the female.  Although it has been known to breed all year, the primary season is between July to November, and lasts about 42 days.  Incubation is done by the female. with the chicks fed by both parents.  Chicks are fledged after 53–58 days.

Nests are built 20 to 60 feet in trees below the canopy.  Abandoned nests of other birds are often reused.  The clutch consists of 1-2 white, brown-spotted eggs and is mainly incubated by the female.  Although the eagle has been known to breed all year, the primary breeding season is between July andNovember, lasting about 42 days.  Incubation is done by the female, with the chicks fed by both parents.  Chicks are fledged after 53–58 days.

==Threats==

==Threats==

The IUCN has classified this species as "least concern".  Deforestation for the purpose of agriculture or human habitation, usually an issue with similar species, as merely caused an increase in numbers; it is seen by locals as a pest remover, i.e. its predilection for rodents, and therefore not persecuted<ref>https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22696134/93546422#population</ref>.

The IUCN has classified this species as "least concern".  Deforestation for the purpose of agriculture or human habitation, usually an issue with similar species, has merely caused an increase in numbers; it is seen by locals as a pest remover, i.e. its predilection for rodents, and it is therefore not persecuted<ref>https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22696134/93546422#population</ref>.

==References==

==References==