Verreaux’s eagle is one of Africa’s most specialised and magnificent raptors — almost entirely jet black with brilliant white patches on the back and rump, this large eagle is a specialist predator of hyraxes and in Uganda is found at Kidepo Valley National Park where the rocky kopjes and inselbergs of the Karamoja highlands provide both the rocky habitat that hyraxes require and the aerial hunting grounds that this spectacular eagle uses to pursue its almost exclusively hyrax diet in the most remote and spectacular landscape in Uganda. Kidepo Valley NP — the primary Uganda site for Verreaux’s eagle — is one of Africa’s finest and least-visited national parks on any Uganda safari.
- Scientific name: Aquila verreauxii; also called the black eagle
- Size: wingspan up to 230cm; second-largest eagle in Africa by wingspan after the martial eagle
- Diet: over 90% hyrax in areas where hyraxes are available; one of the most specialised diets of any eagle
- Uganda location: Kidepo Valley NP (northeastern Uganda near the South Sudan border) — the main site; also possibly Mount Elgon slopes
Verreaux’s eagle is one of Africa’s most specialised and magnificent raptors. Almost entirely jet black with brilliant white patches on the back and rump, this large eagle is a specialist predator of hyraxes — small rabbit-sized mammals that live among rocky outcrops and cliffs. In Uganda the species is associated primarily with Mount Elgon, where rocky terrain provides both nesting sites and hyrax hunting grounds.
For birders visiting Uganda in 2027, Verreaux’s eagle is a speciality target that requires a specific visit to Mount Elgon National Park or other rocky highland areas where hyraxes are common. The effort is well rewarded — this is one of the world’s most beautiful eagles and seeing it soar over the cliffs of Mount Elgon is a truly memorable experience.
Identification
Verreaux’s eagle is a large eagle reaching 80 to 96 centimetres with a wingspan of 188 to 219 centimetres. The adult plumage is almost entirely glossy black with a prominent white V on the back visible in flight and a white rump. The wingtips are black and the underwing shows a distinctive narrow white wing patch along the inner primaries. The bill is grey and the cere and feet are yellow.
Immature birds are brown and cream with a brown crown and go through a complex series of plumage changes over five to six years. The adult’s jet-black plumage and white back pattern is distinctive at any range. In flight the deeply slotted wingtips and pale inner primaries are characteristic features visible at considerable distance.
The Hyrax Specialist
Verreaux’s eagle has an extraordinary feeding specialisation — approximately 90% of its diet consists of hyraxes. This dependence on a single prey type is unusual among large raptors and means the eagle’s distribution closely mirrors that of hyrax populations. In Uganda, rock hyraxes and tree hyraxes provide the food base for the eagles at Mount Elgon.
The eagles hunt by soaring along cliff faces and rocky ridges, using the terrain to approach hyraxes by surprise. Hunting pairs sometimes cooperate, with one bird driving hyraxes into the open while the other makes the strike. A single hyrax hunt may sustain a pair for several days, and pairs typically hunt only twice a week or less.
Mount Elgon: Key Habitat in Uganda
Mount Elgon National Park on Uganda’s eastern border with Kenya is the primary location for Verreaux’s eagle in Uganda. The volcanic caldera, rocky cliffs, and moorland habitats support healthy hyrax populations that in turn sustain eagle pairs. The park also holds an extraordinary diversity of other highland species including the Jackson’s francolin, lammergeier, and various Albertine Rift birds.
The eagles are most visible when soaring along the cliff faces in the morning as thermals develop. The Sipi Falls area on the lower slopes of Mount Elgon also provides good habitat and is a scenic area for eagle watching combined with visiting the spectacular waterfalls. Experienced local guides know where resident pairs hunt.
Breeding Biology
Verreaux’s eagles nest on cliff ledges or in large trees on rocky outcrops. The nest is a large structure of sticks and plant material used year after year and growing to considerable size over decades. One to two eggs are laid with a two-egg interval, and the younger chick almost always dies in what is called “Cain and Abel” competition. The surviving chick fledges at about three months.
Pairs mate for life and maintain long-term territories. The slow breeding rate — one successful chick every two years at best — means populations are sensitive to any increase in adult mortality. In Uganda the species benefits from national park protection at Mount Elgon but faces challenges from habitat degradation outside protected boundaries.
Photography Tips
The jet-black plumage of Verreaux’s eagle presents a classic exposure challenge — expose for the bird and the background sky becomes overexposed, expose for the sky and the bird becomes a silhouette. On overcast days with a bright but diffuse sky the problem is reduced. Look for birds against the cliff face or perched on rocky ledges where the background is not bright sky. The white back patch is the key diagnostic feature — aim to capture this clearly.
Plan Your Mount Elgon Visit in 2027
The gorilla trekking permit costs $800 in 2027. Mount Elgon can be visited as part of an eastern Uganda itinerary or as a standalone destination. Combining the mountain hike and birdwatching with the Sipi Falls area makes for an excellent 2 to 3 day extension to any Uganda safari. Contact us to include Verreaux’s eagle and Mount Elgon in your 2027 Uganda wildlife programme.
Why is Verreaux’s eagle so specialised on hyrax and how does it hunt them?
The specialisation of Verreaux’s eagle on rock hyraxes is one of the most extreme dietary specialisations of any large raptor. The hyrax dependency: in areas with abundant hyraxes, up to 98% of Verreaux’s eagle diet items are rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis); this is an extraordinary dietary specialisation compared to most raptors that take varied prey; when hyrax populations decline, Verreaux’s eagle populations follow. Hunting technique: the eagle hunts by flying low along rocky ridges and suddenly appearing over the top of a kopje to surprise hyraxes sunning on the rocks; the contrasting black-and-white plumage may serve as a counter-shading adaptation; pairs often hunt cooperatively — one draws the hyrax colony’s attention while the other attacks from behind. What is a hyrax: the rock hyrax looks like a large guinea pig but is actually the closest living relative of the elephant; it lives in rock crevices in colonies of 10-80 animals; it is found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa’s rocky habitats.
What makes Kidepo Valley NP so special for wildlife and why is it overlooked?
Kidepo Valley NP is consistently cited by serious Africa travellers as one of the finest and most overlooked parks on the continent. The landscape: the extreme northeast of Uganda bordering South Sudan and Kenya; a dramatic semi-arid savannah valley ringed by mountains; the Narus and Kidepo rivers provide water; the kopjes and rock outcrops are visually spectacular. Wildlife: Kidepo has species absent from Uganda’s southern parks — cheetah, caracal, aardwolf, ostrich, striped hyena, bat-eared fox — alongside the standard big cats and elephant; the diversity of rare and unusual species is exceptional. Why it is overlooked: distance from Kampala (8-10 hours by road or 90 minutes by charter flight); historically less infrastructure than western Uganda parks; security concerns in the past (now resolved for tourist visits). The verdict: for a serious Africa wildlife enthusiast, Kidepo is one of Uganda’s greatest secrets; worth the effort of the charter flight.
How do you identify Verreaux’s eagle in the field?
Verreaux’s eagle is one of the most distinctive and unmistakable eagles in Africa. Adult plumage: completely jet black on the head, body, and wing surfaces except for brilliant white on the back, rump, and base of the tail; the white forms a striking V-shape on the back when the bird is seen from above in flight; the yellow cere and feet contrast with the black plumage. Juvenile plumage: juveniles are a complex mixture of brown, rufous, and white; it takes approximately 5 years to reach adult plumage; the large size and characteristic wing shape help identify immatures. In flight: the wings are long and broad with a distinctive narrow “waist” where the wing meets the body; this pinched wing shape is visible from below and is diagnostic for the species; the tail is relatively short and rounded.
What other large raptors can you see at Kidepo Valley NP?
Kidepo is Uganda’s finest raptor park with a range of large eagles and vultures not seen in Uganda’s other parks. Martial eagle: Kidepo is one of Uganda’s most reliable sites for martial eagle — Africa’s largest eagle; soars over the savannah; occasionally seen perched on dead trees. Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus): the most unusual eagle shape in Africa — almost no visible tail in flight; brilliant red, black, and white; common at Kidepo and diagnostic of pristine African savannah. Lappet-faced vulture: Africa’s largest vulture; found at Kidepo where carcasses are available; a massive bird with a pink bare head. Long-crested eagle: common along roads throughout Uganda including Kidepo; the floppy crest is unmistakable. African hawk-eagle: found in Kidepo woodland areas; a powerful eagle that hunts medium-sized birds and small mammals.
How do you get to Kidepo Valley NP to see Verreaux’s eagle?
Kidepo is Uganda’s most remote national park and requires either a long road journey or a charter flight. By charter flight: the most practical option for most visitors; Aerolink Uganda operates scheduled charter flights from Entebbe to Kidepo airstrip (approximately 90 minutes); the flight over the Karamoja highlands is spectacular; this option costs significantly more than the road but saves 16-18 hours of driving. By road: 8-10 hours from Kampala on roads that include challenging sections in Karamoja; a 4WD is essential; the route can be split by stopping in Gulu overnight. Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge is the main accommodation inside Kidepo — a good quality lodge with en-suite cottages and excellent guiding; budget bandas are available from UWA; advance booking is essential as availability is limited.
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