Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus

Summer visitor (late Mar Oct), this is one of the easiest eagles to identify. Any large bird of prey with completely whitish underparts, lacking dark patches or panels will be this species.

L 62-69 cm, WS 162-178 cm. Large, pale eagle with both long and broad wings. Taillengthabout4/50f or equal to width of wing, tail narrow at base and square-cut when folded, corners sharp. Neck short and head broad, almost owl-like on perched birds. The plumage is variable but Short-toed Eagles almost always have dark heads, white bodies and plain whitish underwings. If there are any dark markings at all on the underwings, they will show up as just fine bands or lines of spots. They can also be identified in silhouette because they are usually big-headed.

Breeds in mainly open, arid country with mountains and scattered woods, in north also in river valleys, forests. Food reptiles. Nests in tree.

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