Updated 20 October 2026

African crowned eagle Uganda is the most powerful eagle in Africa relative to its size, the crest and powerful talons of this forest specialist making it one of the most impressive raptors in the country. The African crowned eagle is the most powerful eagle of Africa’s forests. It is slightly smaller than the martial eagle but extremely strong, with huge talons that let it kill monkeys and small antelopes several times its own weight. Dark grey above, with a barred chest and a short crest, it lives in forests and wooded gorges, including Bwindi, Kibale, Budongo, Kyambura Gorge and Mabira. Its loud, ringing calls during display flights are often the first sign of it.

African Crowned Eagle Uganda: The Most Powerful Raptor Facts

A monkey hunter

Crowned eagles hunt mainly by waiting quietly on a perch inside the forest, then dropping onto prey. Monkeys such as red-tailed monkeys, colobus and mangabeys form a large part of their diet in Ugandan forests, which is why monkeys give loud alarm calls when one flies over. Scientists studying prey remains under nests have learned a lot about monkey populations from them. In rare cases, crowned eagles have even been known to attack young chimpanzees.

Nesting

Pairs build huge stick nests in the forks of tall trees and may use them for many years. They usually raise one chick every two years, and the young bird depends on its parents for a long time after it leaves the nest. Loss of large forest trees and persecution are the main threats; the species is listed as Near Threatened. See our guides to Bwindi’s big trees and the martial eagle.

Where to see it

Watch the sky above forest edges in Bwindi and Kibale, especially on clear mornings when pairs display, and listen for monkey alarm calls. The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. See our guides to Kibale and Bwindi’s birds.

Frequently asked questions