No one who is interested in observing birds can fail to distinguish the large birds of prey such as the Hawk and the Eagle, those 'fierce and bloodthirst hunters of the air'.  They are known as diurnal predators; that is, they hunt for their prey in the daytime, unlike the Owls who hunt by night.  They are endowed with special powers - keen vision, strong wings - and weapons - a strong curved beak and sharp curved talons - to fit them for their mode of life.  The beak of the Hawk and Eagle has been described as a meat-hook and both it and the talons have great striking power.

The Wedge-tailed Eagle is Australia's largest bird of prey and one of the largest of the world's eagles.  Its wing span  may reach nine or ten feet.  It has been described as a 'kingly' bird and its specific name audax means 'bold'.  It lives in all types of country, forested and open, and is fairly common all over Australia including Tasmania.

These birds have a majestic soaring flight and with their marvellous vision can detect their prey on the ground from a great height, and dive on it swiftly and unerringly, uttering shrill screams.   When flying, the wedge shape of the tail is clearly seen. 

The diet of the Wedge-tailed Eagle consists of small animals such as rats, mice and rabbits.  They will also clean up carrion such as recently killed kangaroos and sheep.  Some pastoralists say they also destroy young dingoes.  In this way they do a valuable service to man.  They are said to take helpless lambs but this is a controversial point.

The Wedge-tailed Eagle builds a huge nest of sticks, lined with gum leaves, high up in a tree.  The nest may be as much as eight feet wide and deep.  The birds appear to pair for life and return to the same nest adding to it year after year.  They also nest on rock ledges in mountains and cliffs, or sometimes use the old nest of another bird such as the crow.