Husbandry Guidelines for Wedge Tail Eagle: Analytical Essay

Disclaimer

Please note that these husbandry guidelines are student material, created as part of student assessment for Open Colleges ACM30317 Certificate III in Captive Animals. While care has been taken by students to compile accurate and complete material at the time of creation, all information contained should be interpreted with care. No responsibility is assumed for any loss or damage resulting from using these guidelines. Husbandry guidelines are evolving documents that need to be updated regularly as more information becomes available and industry knowledge about animal welfare and care is extended.

Workplace Health and Safety risks warning

Birds of prey are a predator and should always be worked with caution. As one of the largest eagles in the world you should always treat them with respect, vigilance and alertness. The wedge tail eagle is known to show aggression towards other eagles and in the past their own keepers when kept in captivity (Debus and Davies, 2019). Eagles are known to be a high to medium risk of hazard as they are predators and therefore have the ability to maim and kill. They use their sharp talons and beak to rip and shred their prey. There are no human deaths recorded by Wedge-tailed Eagle attack and there are very few reports of attacks on humans at all. However, they have the potential to do serious damage. (Simpson, Day and Trusler, 1998).

Having a good relationship with the eagle and knowing what the eagles general behaviour is within the enclosure. Know the eagle, and if necessary when cleaning the enclosure, it can be suggested to have a lock away are that can be used to isolate the animal using rewards like food. Getting injured by the eagle can be serious as they can shred human skin and in the wild, they are known to attack swiftly and with great speed to using their talons to defend their territory keepers should never underestimate the wedge tail eagles full potential (Debus and Davies, 2019).

Enclosures with eagles should never be able to have physical contact with the public a look but don’t touch approach. Signage should be placed around the enclosure outlining the risks of being in contact with the eagle and what safety protocols are in place (Debus and Davies, 2019).

If necessary, personal protective equipment (PPE) can be used when handling this animal, such as thick gloves and protective clothing i.e. hard hats, thick long-sleeved clothing. There are a few workplace risks involved when working with Wedge-tailed Eagles and maintaining their enclosure, including biological, chemical, environmental, ergonomic, physical and psychological risks. (Debus and Davies, 2019)

Biological

Zoonotic diseases (disease that can be transmitted to humans) are a potential biological risk, such as bacterial infection (e.g. avian tuberculosis), fungal infection (e.g. ringworm), viral infection (e.g. avian influenza) and other illnesses (e.g. giardia). The risk of contamination can be avoided by using appropriate hygiene methods such as hand washing, footbaths, disinfectant spray and protective clothing (face mask etc.) when necessary. (Uwa.edu.au, 2013)

Chemical

Exposure to certain chemicals can occur while cleaning the enclosure and anything associated with the animals. This can include F10 (disinfectant spray), WD40, iodine, betadine, flagyl etc. It can also include supplements to the Eagles diet if necessary, such as calcium powder, vitamins etc. To reduce this risk the appropriate PPE should be worn when using chemicals, such as gloves and face mask. It is important to use the correct dilutions, read and follow labels/instructions and appropriate safety procedures. (Uwa.edu.au, 2013)

Environmental

Exposure to the sun when working around and with the eagles can cause over exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Wet and cold weather can cause health problems for keepers if excessively exposed to it. This can be avoided by wearing appropriate clothing to protect one’s body from the weather, such as a hat, sunglasses, jumpers, scarves, long pants, long shirts and closed in footwear. Additionally, sunscreen is recommended when working outdoors in the sun. (Uwa.edu.au, 2013)

1. Introduction

2. Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Accipitriformes
• Family: Accipitridae
• Genus: Aquila
• Species: A. audax

Aquila is the genus of true eagles. It is often united with the buteos, sea eagles and other more heavyset Accipitridae, but more recently it appears as if they are less distinct from the slenderer accipitrine hawks than believed. (Beautyofbirds.com, 2019) Aquila is the genus of true eagles. The genus name is Latin for 'eagle', possibly derived from aquilus, 'dark in colour'. (Simpson, Day and Trusler, 1998)

2.1 Nomenclature

The species was first described by the English ornithologist John Latham in 1801 under the binomial name Vultur audax. (Latham, 2019)

2.2 Subspecies

Aquila (Uroaetus) audax – Australia, southern New Guinea

A. a. fleayi - Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax fleayi) Endangered

white-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

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2.3 Recent synonyms

Aquila audax, Eagle,

2.4 Other common names

Eagle

3. Natural history

3.1 Morphometrics

3.1.1 Mass and basic body measurements

The female wedge-tailed eagle weighs between 3.0 and 5.8 kg, while the smaller males weigh 2 to 4 kg. Length varies between 81 and 106 cm. And the wingspan typically is between 182 and 232 cm. (Ferguson-Lees and Christie, 2001) The largest wingspan ever verified for an eagle was for this species. A female killed in Tasmania in 1931 had a wingspan of 284 cm, and another female measured barely smaller at 279 cm. The wedge tail eagles great length and wingspan place it among the largest eagles in the world, but its wings, at more than 65 cm, and tail, at 45 cm, are both unusually elongated for its body weight. (Wood, 1982)

3.1.2 Sexual dimorphism

Females are generally larger than the males.

3.1.3 Distinguishing features

The Wedge-tailed Eagle has long wings (wingspan 2.3 m), a characteristic long, wedge-shaped tail, and legs that are feathered all the way to the base of the toes. The bill is pale pink to cream, the eye brown to dark brown, and the feet off-white. Young Wedge-tailed Eagles are mid brown in colour with reddish-brown heads and wings. They become progressively blacker for at least the first ten years of their lives; adults are mostly dark blackish-brown. The only difference in plumage between the sexes is that a female adult is generally slightly paler than her mate. Adult females tend to be slightly paler than males. Although it rarely needs to be distinguished from other Aquila eagles, its long, wedge-shaped tail is unique to this species. (Birdsinbackyards.net, 2019)

This bird is more likely to be seen in flight, soaring high on-air currents. There you can recognize its distinctive silhouette, with upcurved wingtips, flight feathers stretched out like fingers, and that long wedge-shaped tail. (Billabong Sanctuary, 2016)

3.2 Distribution and habitat

The Wedge-tailed Eagle is found throughout mainland Australia, Tasmania and southern New Guinea. Though they tend to be more common in lightly timbered and open country in southern and eastern Australia. In New Guinea, the birds can be found in the Trans Fly savanna and grasslands. (Birdsinbackyards.net, 2019)

The Wedge-tailed Eagle is found from sea level to alpine regions in the mountains, but prefers wooded and forested land and open country, generally avoiding rainforest and coastal heaths. Eagles can be seen perched on trees or poles or soaring overhead to altitudes of up to 2000 m. Wedge-tailed Eagles build their nest in a prominent location with a good view of the surrounding countryside. It may be built in either alive or dead tree, but usually the tallest one in the territory. In some parts of Australia, where tall trees are absent, small trees, shrubs, cliff faces or even the ground may be used. The density of active nests depends on the abundance of prey and other resources. In most years, nests are usually 2.5 km - 4 km apart. If conditions are particularly good, the distances apart may be less than 1 km because the birds require smaller areas to find sufficient food. (Digital, 2019) (Wikipedia Contributors, 2019)

3.3 Conservation status

Federal: Endangered

1. NSW: Secure
2. NT: Secure
3. QLD: Secure
4. SA: Secure
5. TAS: Endangered
6. VIC: Secure
7. WA: Secure

3.4 Longevity

3.4.1 In the wild

The longest lifespan of a banded wedge-tailed eagle was about eleven years, but it is believed that they can live past 40 years. Average lifespan in the wild is 5.9 years. (Animal Diversity Web, 2019)

3.4.2 In captivity

In captivity, wedge-tailed eagles can live for up to forty years, but the Average lifespan is 26.4 years. (Animal Diversity Web, 2019)

3.4.3 Techniques used to determine age in adults

Young Wedge-tailed Eagles are mid brown in colour with reddish-brown heads and wings. They become progressively blacker for at least the first ten years of their lives. It takes six years for them to be sexually mature. Once they are past 10 years old the adults are mostly dark blackish-brown, and you are unable to tell their age from their colouring. (Animal Diversity Web, 2019)

If you can get a closer look at a wedge tail eagle you will only be able to give an estimate on the age based on the size and length of the eagle.