From Opus

Clanga pomarina

Juvenile
Photo by Red Bishop

[edit] Identification

55-65 cm in length and has a wingspan of 145-170 cm.
A medium sized, dark raptor

Adult overall plumage dark brown with paler head. The beak can seem small with round nostrils. The upper-wing coverts are also pale and there can sometimes be a small white primary patch. Under wing coverts are normally paler than the flight feathers. The tail is rounded and in flight, it's length is generally approximately 2/3 of the wing width.

Juvenile wing coverts usually darker than adult bird, with white tips to the greater coverts (upper and lower wing) and median coverts on the upper wing only. Trailing edge of both tail and wings also tipped with white. A pale rufous area on the nape.

[edit] Similar Species

Larger Greater Spotted Eagle

[edit] Distribution

Photo by David Prior
Sub adult Photographed at Dadia Forest National Park, NE Greece

Eurasia and India.

Breeds in eastern Europe in north-east Germany, north and east Poland, the Baltic States and Belarus, Russia and the Ukraine to about 350E. More isolated populations persist in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia and northern Yugoslavia and south-east Romania. Also breeds in small numbers in scattered parts of Albania, Bulgaria and Greece, Turkey and the Caucasus. Has bred in Algeria. Also breeds in India from the Himalayas southwards.

Most Eurasian birds winter in eastern and southern Africa from Tanzania south to Natal. The species can be seen on migration across South-East Europe, Turkey and the Middle East. The most important site for migrants is the Bosphorus where many thousands pass through from mid-August to mid-October and return late March-late April. Smaller numbers are regular at Borcka and Sicily-Cap Bon.

Indian birds are resident.

Vagrants recorded from most European countries north to Norway and west to Spain, but not Britain, and regular in Finland, Sweden and Denmark. Also recorded in Morocco.

[edit] Taxonomy

Two races recognised: pomarina in Eurasia and hastatus in India.
Formerly included in the genus Aquila.

[edit] Habitat

Forest with clearings, lakes or swamps, sometimes drier woodland. Often hunts over grassland when not breeding.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Flight

Quick wing beats. Soars on flat wings, but arched when gliding

[edit] Breeding

It lays 1-3 eggs in a tree nest.

[edit] Diet

Diet includes small mammals and similar terrestrial prey.

[edit] Vocalisation

[edit] References

1. Collins Field Guide 5th Edition

• List of references

[edit] External Links