Profile

Auzzie The Wedgetail Eagle

Origin: Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Date of Birth: November 2006
Weight: 3.5kg
Height: 80cm
Wingspan: 2 metres
Longest talon: 5cm

Wedge-Tailed Eagles:

  • Are the largest Australian raptor
  • Are the second largest of the Quilae or true eagles of the world (the largest is the Golden Eagle)
  • Can be found throughout all of Australia
  • Can see 8 times more detailed resolution than humans can (for example, they can see a newspaper over 1 and a half kilometres away)
  • Can see in a larger spectrum of colours than humans
  • Can also see in black and white
  • Eat mammals, birds, reptiles and carrion (including kangaroos, wallabies, rabbits, crows, cockatoos and goannas)
  • Seize their prey on the ground from a dive or a glide, very rarely takes prey in flight
  • Nest in the tallest trees available, sometimes up to 80 metres high
  • Reach maturity at 6-8 years of age

The Growth of Auzzie

Background Information

The West Coast Eagles, in partnership with the Western Australian Birds of Prey Centre and Whiteman Park, are working together to promote awareness of birds of prey in Western Australia.

Auzzie, Whiteman Park’s wedge-tail eagle, has become an effective ambassadorfor the conservation and rehabilitiation of birds of prey, while promoting important educational messages to the wider community.

As a committed support of Whiteman Park’s outstanding conservation work, the West Coast Eagles are proud and honoured to have Auzzie as the highest-flying member of the squad.

Auzzie Flies High Logo

He was introduced at the first West Coast home game for the season in round two, and really made his impression in found four during his first free flight around the oval before the match.

WA Birds of Prey Centre owner and founder, Yvonne Sitko, has been training Auzzie for several months, as well as conditioning him to feel comfortable with the football environment. An enthusiastic crowd of 40,000 plus can intimidate even the most hardened football veteran. However with Sitko’s help Auzzie feels completely at home at the oval and quite likes watching a bit of football as well. Auzzie is well trained, accustomed to people and genuinely enjoys his fortnightly football outings.

With support from the Department of Environment and Conservation, Sito has been granted a licence allowing her to fly Auzzie free at Subiaco Oval before all West Coast Eagles home games.