Short-toed Eagle

Scientific name:

Circaetus gallicus

Status:

Summer visitor, locally common in south.

Voice:

Fluting calls by male, harsher notes from female.

Length:

It ranges between 62-67 cm.

Wingspan:

It lies in between 170-185 cm.

Habitat:

Dry, open, habitats, with some maquis, garrigue or scattered trees.

Behaviour:

Preys on snakes, usually hunts by hovering or quartering low over the ground.

Physical appearance:

Large, pale raptor, usually seen hovering or using updraught, when underparts looks very white. Wings broad and quite long in proportion to body size, tail narrow and square ended. Darker head gives hooded appearance. Sexes have similar plumages but female is larger than female. May be confused with osprey, but doesn’t show dark carpal patches.