Martial Eagle

Polemaetus bellicosus (Daudin, 1800)

Accipitridae — Kites, Hawks, Eagles

Martial Eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus, breeds across Africa and is widespread there. It is a large eagle of wooded belts within open savanna, and it is the only species in the genus Polemaetus. Its legs are feathered down to the tarsus, placing it among the booted eagles. It is also one of the largest and strongest of that group. The species was described by Daudin in 1800.

Order
Accipitriformes
Family
Accipitridae — Kites, Hawks, Eagles
Breeding range
Africa: widespread
Martial Eagle
© Dominic Sherony · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

19 tours in Kenya 8, South Africa 4, The Gambia 2, Tanzania 2, Botswana 1, Uganda 1, Namibia 1

13-Day Wings Over the Wild Birding and Photography Safari
13-Day Wings Over the Wild Birding and Photography Safari
Botswana / Maun 13 days

A private 13-day birding and wildlife photography journey from Maun to Kasane through Moremi, Khwai, Savuti and the Chobe Riverfront, with m...

From USD 7,200
Custom Gambia and Senegal Birdwatching and Photography Tour
Custom Gambia and Senegal Birdwatching and Photography Tour
The Gambia / Coastal Gambia Private tour

A private, fully customized birdwatching and wildlife photography journey through The Gambia and Senegal, led by Gambia-based guide Ansumana...

15-Day Uganda Birding Tour 2027
15-Day Uganda Birding Tour 2027
Uganda / Entebbe Group tour 15 days

A 15-day Uganda birding circuit from Entebbe through Mabamba Swamp, Lake Mburo, Mgahinga, Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale and Semliki for Sh...

From USD 4,685
Full-Day Kruger Birding and Wildlife Safari from Maputo with Simba Munyambo
Full-Day Kruger Birding and Wildlife Safari from Maputo with Simba Munyambo
South Africa / Kruger National Park Private tour 1 day

A private full-day cross-border safari from Maputo through southern Kruger National Park, combining birding with wildlife observation along ...

14-Day Eastern Arc and Northern Tanzania Birding Safari with Wings Explorers Tours
14-Day Eastern Arc and Northern Tanzania Birding Safari with Wings Explorers Tours
Tanzania / Arusha Private tour 14 days

A 14-day private Tanzania birding itinerary linking Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, the Usambara Mountains, Amani Nature Reserve a...

20 Days Kenya Birding Tour
20 Days Kenya Birding Tour
Kenya / Nairobi Group tour 20 days

A 20-day comprehensive Kenya birding circuit from Nairobi and Maasai Mara through Rift Valley lakes, western forest, northern reserves, Tsav...

6 Days Kenya Budget Birding
6 Days Kenya Budget Birding
Kenya / Nairobi Group tour 6 days

A six-day private budget birding circuit linking Nairobi National Park, Manguo, Gatamaiyu, Lake Elementeita and two days around Lake Baringo...

Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park
Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park
Kenya / Nairobi Group tour 1 day

A private walking birding day at Ol Donyo Sabuk, following the Kilimambogo mountain trail through woodland and montane forest toward the sum...

Nairobi National Park Birding
Nairobi National Park Birding
Kenya / Nairobi Group tour 1 day

A full birding day in Nairobi National Park, moving through grassland, riverine forest and wetlands only a short drive from the city center....

Meru National Park
Meru National Park
Kenya / Nairobi Group tour 1 day

A private birding day in Meru National Park, moving among riverine forest, wetlands, acacia woodland and open savanna for varied birdlife....

Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park
Kenya / Nairobi Group tour 1 day

A private birding and wildlife day in compact Lake Nakuru National Park, focused on the Rift Valley soda lake, flamingos, pelicans and varie...

Lake Elementeita
Lake Elementeita
Kenya / Nairobi Group tour 1 day

A relaxed private walking day at Lake Elementeita, exploring soda-lake shoreline and surrounding woodland for flamingos, migrants and Rift V...

Kakamega Forest
Kakamega Forest
Kenya / Nairobi Group tour 1 day

A private walking birding day in Kakamega Forest, Kenya’s western rainforest remnant, seeking forest specialists along established nature ...

10-Day Tanzania Birding Safari with Wings Explorers Tours
10-Day Tanzania Birding Safari with Wings Explorers Tours
Tanzania / Arusha Private tour 10 days

A high-density 10-day birding program through the Arusha foothills, Maasai Steppe, Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the central Serengeti, combinin...

2-Day West Coast Birding Tour
2-Day West Coast Birding Tour
South Africa / Cape Town Private tour 2 days

Explore the Western Cape coast over two days, from Darling farmland and Geelbek shorebirds to a Berg River boat trip and Velddrif wetlands....

10-Day Western Cape Birding Tour
10-Day Western Cape Birding Tour
South Africa / Cape Town Private tour 10 days

A private or small-group Western Cape birding itinerary from Cape Town through the Cape Peninsula, West Coast, Tankwa Karoo, Agulhas Plain, ...

Private West Coast Birding Day Tour with Birding Ecotours
Private West Coast Birding Day Tour with Birding Ecotours
South Africa / Cape Town Private tour 1 day

A private full-day circuit from Cape Town through Darling and the West Coast National Park for larks, korhaans, raptors, shorebirds and coas...

From ZAR 7,000
Southern Africa Birding Expedition: Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls with Birding Ecotours
Southern Africa Birding Expedition: Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls with Birding Ecotours
Namibia / Walvis Bay Group tour 18 days

An 18-day birding expedition from Namibia's Atlantic coast through Etosha and the Okavango Panhandle to Victoria Falls, combining desert nea...

From USD 10,206
14 Day Comprehensive Nature Adventure Birding- Gambia-Senegal
14 Day Comprehensive Nature Adventure Birding- Gambia-Senegal
The Gambia Group tour 14 days

Experience an unforgettable 14-day birdwatching adventure in The Gambia and Senegal, exploring some of West Africa’s richest and most dive...

From EUR 2,000