The martial eagle is the largest eagle species in Africa by length and wingspan.
The martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) is a powerful raptor found across much of sub-Saharan Africa. Adults can reach about 90 centimetres in body length, while their wingspan can approach 2.6 metres. Females are generally larger than males, as is common among many birds of prey.
It hunts from elevated perches or while soaring, taking birds, reptiles, and mammals. Its prey can include monitor lizards, guinea fowl, small antelopes, and domestic livestock. The species has exceptionally strong talons and is capable of killing animals considerably heavier than itself.
The martial eagle is often confused with the African fish eagle, but the two birds have very different lifestyles and appearances. The fish eagle is strongly associated with waterways and has a conspicuous white head, whereas the martial eagle is a dark, broad-winged hunter of open woodland and savanna.