Greater Spotted Eagle - Definition

Greater Spotted Eagle Conservation status: Vulnerable
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Falconiformes Family: Accipitridae Genus: Aquila Species: clanga
Binomial name
Aquila clanga Pallas, 1811

The Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga), or just Spotted Eagle, is a large bird of prey. It is about 65 cm in length and has a wingspan of 160cm. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae.

It breeds from northern Europe across Asia, and winters in southeastern Europe, the Middle East and south Asia. This eagle lays 1-3 eggs in a tree nest.

This is a species of fairly wooded country, which hunts small mammals and similar, mainly terrestrial prey.

This is a medium-large eagle, very similar to the Lesser Spotted Eagle, which shares part of its range in general appearance. Its head and wing coverts are very dark brown and contrast with the generally medium brown plumage (Lesser Spotted has pale head and wing coverts). The head is small for an eagle.

There is often a less obvious white patch on the upperwings, but a white primary crescent is a good field mark. The juvenile has white spots in the wings.

The call is a dog-like yip.