Bonelli’s Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus)

In some ways, the Bonelli’s Eagle is unlike most other large birds of prey in character. It does not soar around lazily as most do, but tends to fly with more purpose, and usually somewhat lower down. Its primary feathers are less obviously “fingered” than those of other eagles, making it less stable when riding thermals, but also faster and more agile. In common with the Booted Eagle it relies on fast ambush, either during a dive from the air or, less often, a burst from a perched position on to the ground. So it is unusually dynamic and energetic for its size.

By Mike Prince from Bangalore, India – Bonelli’s Eagle, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=112384493

The Bonelli’s Eagle specialises on predating medium sized mammals and birds. In Spain at least, it relies heavily on catching rabbits and Red-legged Partridges, but will switch to crows, pigeons and squirrels, for example, if the easier prey is scarce or unavailable. Sometimes the two members of a pair hunt co-operatively together.

In some aspects of its ecology the Bonelli’s Eagle differs sharply from its close relative, the Booted Eagle. For one thing it is sedentary, not migratory, remaining within its home range all year round. It is more of a bird of arid and mountainous zones than the forest-loving Booted Eagle. And it usually selects a cliff site for its nest, rather than a tree.

The nest is very large for the size of bird, often 2m in diameter, and with individual sticks up to half this length. Most sites are very high off the ground, with a commanding view.

From ‘Birds: A Complete Guide to All British and European Species’, by Dominic Couzens. Published by Collins and reproduced with permission.