Martial Eagle

The Martial Eagle is, due to its size and the power it exudes, a truly impressive bird; it is the African eagle with the largest wingspan. The Verreaux's Eagle, and the Crowned Eagle are slightly bigger (96 cm and 90 cm in length, respectively), yet have a smaller wingspan (2m and 1.5-1.7m). Its military bearing as well as its powerful predatory skills make it one of the most intimidating birds of prey.
The thighs and breast are white, dotted with blackish brown, and the rest of the plumage is dark brown. The females, generally larger than the males, often have a denser abdominal punctuation. Apart from those two criteria, there isn't any marked sexual dimorphism.
The neck and the upper part of the breast are dark brown. The rear head, large and slightly flat, has a small crest. The eyes are yellow and piercing.
The tarsi, feathered, long and powerful, are topped by large yellowish talons with long, curved black nails.
The tail, rather short, on the lower side is white, striped in dark brown.
The wings are brown, with the remiges light and thinly striped in black.
The black beak is strongly hooked, with a yellowish base.
For adults, identification confusion can possibly arise with the Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Circaetus pectoralis, even though the latter is smaller with a breast devoid of dots.
The young differ significantly from the adults. They are much lighter, the ventral parts are not dotted, their head is white, with some brown feathers scattered; the iris is brown.
When flying, confusion can possibly occur with the juvenile from the Crowned Eagle, Stephanoaetus coronatus. The wings of the immature Martial Eagle, however, are larger, whiter, with lesser striped wings.