martial eagle | watercolour

The martial eagle is Africa’s most powerful eagle, a master hunter that rules the skies. It spends long periods perched high in a tree, perfectly still, scanning the ground below with exceptional eyesight. From these lofty vantage points, it can spot prey from extraordinary distances. When it commits to a hunt, the shift is instant — the eagle drops into a smooth, fast glide, gathering speed before striking with explosive force. Its talons are incredibly strong, capable of taking down mammals and large birds far heavier than itself. Martial eagles form long-term pairs and return to the same massive nest each year, often building structures over two metres across in tall trees or cliffs. Magnificent and commanding, the martial eagle embodies both patience and raw power — a true apex raptor of the African sky.