Wedge-Tailed Eagle
Aquila audax
Also known as: Wedgie
About This Species
Australia's largest bird of prey, it is unmistakable in flight thanks to its long, diamond-shaped tail and huge wingspan, often seen soaring at great height over open woodland, grassland, and arid country while scanning for carrion or live prey such as rabbits and other mammals. It is most visible on thermal-heavy days when it rides rising air with minimal wingbeats, and pairs frequently patrol territories together. Roadkill and other carrion can draw it to roadside areas, making highway margins in rural Australia a reliable place to see it.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Given its size and status as an apex aerial predator, keep well back from nest trees, particularly during the breeding season when adults are highly protective and disturbance can cause nest failure.
- In Australia it is protected under state and federal wildlife legislation that prohibits harm, capture, or nest disturbance, with penalties enforced by state environment agencies.
- Observing from a vehicle or at a distance with optics is the safest and least disruptive approach, especially near known nesting territories which the birds may reuse for years.
LCAvesAccipitriformesAccipitridae
Seasonal Activity
254,551 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Family
- Accipitridae
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.