Which bird of prey is endemic to Australia and named for its wedge-shaped tail?

The wedge-tailed eagle is endemic to Australia and named for its wedge-shaped tail.

Its scientific name is Aquila audax, and it is Australia’s largest bird of prey. The species occurs across mainland Australia and Tasmania, occupying habitats that range from deserts and grasslands to forests and coastal areas. Its broad wings and long, wedge-shaped tail are useful identification features when it is soaring.

Wedge-tailed eagles are powerful hunters and scavengers. They take rabbits, birds, reptiles, and other animals, but they also feed on carrion. Pairs usually maintain large territories and build substantial stick nests, often in tall trees or on cliffs.

The name can cause confusion because several Australian raptors share similar habitats. The white-bellied sea eagle is also large, but it has a contrasting white head and underparts and is associated more closely with waterways. The wedge-tailed eagle is distinguished by its dark plumage, huge size, and unmistakable tail silhouette.