This Eagle looks like a hawk, but it is far more stealthy | LONG-CRESTED EAGLE.

The long-Crested Eagle (Lophaetus Occipitalis) is a striking and distinctive raptor that resides in Sub-saharan Africa.
This medium-sized eagle is renowned for its prominent crest which sets it apart from many other African eagle species and gives it a regal, almost crowned appearance.
The crest is composed of several long black feathers can be raised or lowered at will, often reflecting the bird's mood or alertness.

Measuring between 50-65 cm in length with a wingspan of 110-125 cm, (1.1-1.25 meters), the long-crested eagle is smaller than many of its African eagle counterparts, despite its proportionally modest size, it is a formidable predator.

Within its varied Sub-Saharan ecosystems, the bird's plumage is primarily dark-brown to an almost black coloration, creating a striking contrast with white patches visible on the wings and tail. The tail is compact in length, not as long as those of other eagles.

The legs are somewhat long and are feathered, usually white, they look like they're scaled from afar. The tip of the beak is a slate-grey coloration, the sides of the beak and the area surrounding the nose are yellow in colour, and it has powerful sharp talons adapted for capturing and dispatching prey efficiently. The feet are also yellow with slender long black talons.
Body weight ranges from 2-3.1 kg (4-7 pounds).

The Long-crested eagle inhabits a variety of woodland habitats across Sub-Saharan Africa.

It shows a particular preference for forest edges, gallery forests along rivers and wooded savannas.The species thrives in areas with tall trees that provide suitable perches for hunting and nesting, its range is extensive stretching from Senegal and the Gambia in West Africa across the continent to Ethiopia and Eritrea in the east and southward through Central Africa, All the way to South Africa and Swaziland (Eswatini).

While the long-crested eagle is not migratory, individuals may move locally in response to changes in prey movement and availability or habitat conditions such as seasonal weather shifts. They are generally resident Birds, maintaining territories year round in suitable habitats

Unlike many other eagles that primarily hunt on the wing, the long-crested eagle employs a perch-and-wait hunting strategy.
This approach involves spending considerable time perched on a high vantage point typically a tall tree or sometimes a leafless tree branch, scanning the ground below for potential prey.

The eagle's exceptional eyesight allows it to spot movement from a great distance when a suitable target is identified, the eagle swoops down with surprising speed and agility, its flight is generally silent, aided by soft-edged feathers that reduce noise, allowing it to approach prey undetected.

The long-crested eagle's powerful talons are its primary weapon used to grasp and swiftly dispatch its quarry.
The diet of the long-crested eagle varies, reflecting its adaptability as a predator.

It primarily feeds on small mammals with a particular preference for rodents such as rats, mice and grass rats, however its prey repertoire extends far beyond these besides rodents they hunt tree, rock & bush hyraxes, small monkeys, young antelopes and occasionally bats.

They can take down a variety of bird species from small passerines to larger ground-dwelling birds like francolins and guinea fowls, snakes and lizards form part of their prey repertoire. The eagle also shows remarkable ability in handling even venomous prey species, frogs are occasionally taken, particularly during rainy seasons when they are abundant.

Large insects such as grasshoppers and small beetles are sometimes hunted mostly when other prey is scarce. This diverse diet allows the species to thrive in a range of habitats and adapt to local prey movement & availability.