Circaetus gallicus - Short-toed Eagle
Feather characters. Barbules are very long (2.2-2.7 mm), filamentous and entangled without any pigmented parts. Slightly thickened nodes (10-11 per mm) are located on proximal end of barbules. Over a short distance these nodes abruptly decrease in size. Further along the barbule, nodal structures are too small to qualify as nodes. Villi are absent and internodes are straight. Minute prongs are mostly located on proximal end of barbules on both sides of the pennulum. Occasionally these prongs are asymmetric.
Field characters. Length 62-67 cm; wingspan 170-185 cm. Weight 1703 g (1180-2324) (Dunning, 1993). Larger than Osprey. Under surface of body and wings variable from almost uniform white to densely dark-patterned; in most individuals throat and upper breast dark; tail with 3 prominent bands. At short distance pattern of dark lines on underwing is visible. Has a round, owl-like head with small bill and large, orange eyes. Upperparts brown tinged pale grey, contrasting with almost black primaries and tail. Juvenile strongly resembles adult. Majestic flight; soars on wings held horizontally, often with dangling legs and head and tail bent downwards; hovers frequently. Hunts for snakes, lizards, frogs, etc.
Voice. Rather vocal eagle which produces Buzzard-like mews and a somewhat compressed "kiioc kiioc kiioc".
Distribution. Locally fairly common or scarce summer visitor. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Haunts damp lowland, valley forests alternating with open heath and grasslands, sandy or rocky exposures fringed with forest or parkland.
Food. Hunts for snakes and lizards by quartering over ground or hovering. When prey is seized it is carried into the air and eaten; large prey eaten on the ground or taken to nest or perch.