Family Hawks, Eagles (Accipitridae)
Least Concern
Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata)
Taxonomy
French: Aigle de Bonelli German: Habichtsadler Spanish: Águila perdicera
Taxonomy:
Aquila fasciata
Vieillot
, 1822,Fontainebleau, France, and Sardinia
.This species and A. spilogaster previously placed in Hieraaetus, but recent molecular study indicated that both are closest to A. verreauxii and should be placed with it in present genus#R#R. Has often been considered conspecific with A. spilogaster. Race renschi suggested to constitute a separate species; recent study, however, found minimal genetic differentiation between it and nominate fasciata, suggesting only recent geographical isolation, and also advanced the possibility that presence of renschi in Lesser Sundas may be result of past introduction#R. Two subspecies normally recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution
A. f. fasciata
Vieillot, 1822 – NW Africa and Iberian Peninsula E through Mediterranean, Middle East and Arabia to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, and on through N Indochina to SE China; winter visitor in NW Africa S to N Senegal.
A. f. renschi
(Stresemann, 1932) – Lesser Sunda Is (Sumbawa, Komodo, Flores, Besar, Timor, Wetar, Luang); recorded in Tanimbar Is.
Descriptive notes
55–67 cm; male 1400–2240 g, female 2100–3025 g; wingspan 143–176 cm. Medium-sized eagle with dark brown upperparts, white, lightly streaked... read more
Voice
Generally silent, except during the breeding season. In display flight, gives a repeated shrill “... read more
Habitat
Mainly warm, sunny mountainous or broken terrain, normally with crags and cliffs. Vegetation cover... read more
Food and feeding
Normally medium-sized birds and mammals; adaptable, eating most readily available prey. Diet well known in SW Europe: prefers rabbits and... read more
Breeding
Laying mainly from Feb to mid-Mar in Mediterranean region; Dec throughout much of Indian Subcontinent. Territorial at all times. Nests on... read more
Movements
Sedentary and dispersive. Breeding pairs closely tied to home range, although somewhat less outside... read more
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened (Least Concern). CITES II. In decline in Europe, with some regional stabilization, but in 1980s, in Spain, home to bulk of European population,... read more
Bonelli eagle in Somalia
This record has to be related to the healthy breeding population in the neighbouring country, Djibouti.
See : Clouet M. & Barrau C. (2013) : Population status of raptors in Djibouti (North-eastern Africa) Alauda 81 : 133-138 :
« Out of the 16 species of raptors recorded in Djibouti, only Egyptian vulture and Bonelli’s eagle reached high densities in restricted mountain areas. The latest, as a top predator and the only palearctic element could be considered as a flag species of the regional avifauna. »
The secies is also present in Red sea mountains, Egypt.
See: Clouet, M. 2011 Alauda (3) 237-140.