20 March, 2013

Booted Eagle

Scientific Name: Hieraaetus pennatus

Population Estimate: Estimated in the tens of thousands, Least Concern status.

Range / Habitat: Bird of wooded countryside with some open areas. Breeds in southern Europe, North Africa and across Asia. Winters in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Field Notes: Medium-sized raptor with two relatively distinct plumage forms. Pale birds are mainly light grey with a darker head and flight feathers. The other form has mid-brown plumage with dark grey flight feathers. Distinctive white markings on the wings and shoulders. Feathers cover the legs.

Personal Notes: Nice digiscoping photo by Richard in Donana National Park, Spain. Along with the Little Eagle this bird is one of the closest living relatives of the extinct Haast's Eagle of New Zealand.

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