fbpx

KidsKonnect

Wedge-Tailed Eagle Facts & Worksheets

The Wedge-Tailed Eagle is the largest living bird in Australia and one of the largest birds in the world. Wedge-tailed eagles prefer wooded and forested land and avoid rainforests and coastal heath.

Search for Worksheets

Worksheets /Science /Animals /Wedge-Tailed Eagle Facts & Worksheets

Premium
Not ready to purchase a subscription? Click to download the free sample version   Download sample

The wedge-tailed eagle is one of the largest eagles in the world. It is also the largest living bird in Australia. Wedge-tailed eagles prefer wooded and forested land and avoid rainforests and coastal heath. The wedge-tailed eagle is feathered up to the base of its toes, its most remarkable characteristic.

See the fact file below for more information on the Wedge-Tailed Eagle, or you can download our 23-page Wedge-Tailed Eagle worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

CHARACTERISTICS

  • The wedge-tailed eagle is the largest living bird in Australia and one of the largest birds in the world. 
  • The wedge-tailed eagle has distinct characteristics. It usually measures 1m from the head to the tip of the tail. Male eagles weigh 3 to 4 kg, whereas female eagles are larger and weigh 4 to 5 kg. Its wingspan reaches 2.3m. 
  • The wedge-tailed eagle can also be recognized when it flies because of its diamond-shaped tail.
  • When wedge-tailed eagles are young, they are mid-brown in color with reddish-brown heads and wings.
  • In the first ten years of their life, they become darker. Adults become blackish-brown to black. The feathers on their necks and wings also become white and bronze. 
  • Another distinct characteristic of the wedge-tailed eagle is its feathered feet. The base of its toes is also feathered.
  • Furthermore, the bill is pale pink to cream. Its feet are off-white, and its eyes are brown to dark brown.

HABITAT AND DIET

  • Wedge-tailed eagles are found throughout Australia. They can also be found in Tasmania, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. 
  • They prefer open woodland, savanna, alpine regions, grassland, and desert edge. However, they seldom stay in rainforests and coastal heaths.
  • They like to soar high or perch in trees or poles to survey their territory. 
  • Wedge-tailed eagles are predators and scavengers. 
  • They prey on rabbits, small kangaroos, foxes, feral cats, koalas, and other smaller birds. 
  • They also eat reptiles such as frill-necked lizards, goannas, and brown snakes. 
  • They also feed on dead and decaying animals like road kill and dead stock. 

BREEDING AND BEHAVIOR

  • Wedge-tailed eagles are monogamous birds. They breed for a long time and even for life. 
  • When the breeding season approaches, the pair preen each other and build their nest. 
  • Their nest is made up of sticks and lined with leaves. The nest measures up to 2m in length and 3m deep. 
  • Wedge-tailed eagles build their nests in the tallest tree in the vicinity. Where there are no trees available, the pair create their nests in shrubs, on telegraph poles, on cliff faces, and the ground. They can build 10 different nests within their territory, which can be used in different years. Together, they defend their hunting ground and their large nests. 
  • Their breeding season happens from late June to October. The female usually lays one to three eggs. These eggs are dull, chalky white with brown spots and blotches. 
  • The pair incubate the eggs. The female will incubate the egg while the male hunts and lines the nest with fresh leaves. 
  • The eggs hatch at different times, but they usually hatch after 45 days. The first chick will be the biggest, and in most cases, it is the only one that survives. There are times when it kills the other chicks. 
  • The female stays on the nest for 30 days or four to five weeks while the male hunts. After such a period, she joins her mate to hunt for food.
  • It takes 80–90 days before the young chicks fledge. During this time, they depend on their parents for six months. They leave the nest when the next breeding season approaches.
  • This happens after six or seven years. 

CONSERVATION STATUS

  • Wedge-tailed eagles are considered the Least Concern (LC) in The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Today, Wedge-tailed eagles are increasing in number. 
  • Despite this, Wedge-tailed eagles are both a threat to the ecosystem and threatened by other factors. 
  • Wedge-tailed eagles are predators in the ecosystem. They kill and control the number of some animals, such as brown rabbits and lambs. Because of that, bounties are paid to either poison or shoot the eagles. This fact is attributed to why wedge-tailed eagles only eat sick or dead sheep.
  • Furthermore, wedge-tailed eagles also decrease in number because of tree clearing, which reduces nesting sites.
  • The opening of forests in Australia also contributed to the number of wedge-tailed eagles because these eagles are sensitive to forestry operations. 
  • When a breeding pair is disturbed during their mating season, they leave their nest. 
  • More human activities also threaten their number. Some prepare Dingo baits (the manufactured meal which is meat-based poison) to poison the eagles. 
  • Some organizations support their conservation. The Peregrine Fund, for instance, funds scientific research and helps the habitat conservation and community development of these species. 
  • The Bush Heritage offers a Wedge-Tailed Eagle Gift Card, a virtual gift card that supports protecting the habitat of native species. The donations that they get help to continue their vital conservation work.
  • The World Center for Birds of Prey brings fun ways to learn about these eagles through interactive activities like tours and videos. They have a children’s room that offers fun activities like coloring sheets, quizzes, costumes, and a touch table.

MORE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT WEDGE-TAILED EAGLES

  • Wedge-tailed eagles take six to eight years before they become fully mature adults. 
  • Wedge-tailed eagles can live up to 40 years. 
  • The wedge-tailed eagle is the symbol of Australia’s Northern Territory.
  • The wedge-tailed eagle is one of 24 diurnal (day-active) raptor species in Australia. They can soar for hours and effortlessly reach 1, 800m or 5, 900 ft. 
  • Wedge-tailed eagles can also carry up to 5kg of prey or dead animals in the air. 
  • Wedge-tailed eagles were documented attacking hang gliders and paragliders. Some assume that this is because these eagles wanted to protect their territory. 
  • Wedge-tailed eagles destroy unmanned aerial vehicles used for mining survey operations in Australia. 
  • Because wedge-tailed eagles are ecosystem predators, they cause panic among smaller birds and other prey. 
  • Wedge-tailed eagles can eat snakes, which is why it is not considered the top predator in the ecosystem.
  • Wedge-tailed eagles attack their prey through their fast swooping motion. 

Wedge-Tailed Eagle Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Wedge-Tailed Eagle across 23 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Wedge-Tailed Eagles. The wedge-tailed eagle is the largest living bird in Australia and one of the largest birds in the world. 

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Wedge-Tailed Eagle Facts
  2. True or False?
  3. Identification
  4. Eagle Identity
  5. Eagle Timeline
  6. Watch the Video
  7. Eagles
  8. Eagle Image
  9. Eagle Preservation
  10. Eagle Emblem
  11. Eagle Attributes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a wedge-tailed eagle?

The wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax) is a large bird of prey found in Australia. It is the largest bird of prey in Australia and one of the largest eagles in the world.

What is the size of a wedge-tailed eagle?

Wedge-tailed eagles are known for their impressive size. On average, they have a wingspan of around 2.3 meters (7.5 feet) and can weigh between 3 to 5.5 kilograms (6.6 to 12.1 pounds). Females are usually larger than males.

What do wedge-tailed eagles eat?

Wedge-tailed eagles are carnivorous birds that primarily feed on small to medium-sized mammals like rabbits, wallabies, and kangaroos. They also eat birds, reptiles, and carrion (dead animals).

Where do wedge-tailed eagles live?

Wedge-tailed eagles are found throughout mainland Australia, Tasmania, and southern Papua New Guinea. They inhabit a variety of habitats, including open grasslands, woodlands, and mountainous regions.

Are wedge-tailed eagles endangered?

No, wedge-tailed eagles are not considered endangered. They are protected under Australian law, and their population is stable. However, they face threats such as habitat loss, collisions with vehicles, and occasionally being shot illegally.

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

Link will appear as Wedge-Tailed Eagle Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, June 19, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

Related Resources