Scientific Name: Hieraaetus pennatus
Malay Name: Helang Junam Kecil
Chinese Name: 靴隼雕
Range: Found from southwest Europe to northwest Africa, Central Asia, Indian subcontinent, Siberia and northwest China with northern populations wintering to southern Africa, Indian subcontinent and mainland Southeast Asia
Taxonomy: Monotypic.
Size: 50-57 cm
Identification: This is a small crestless raptor with long square-cut tail and diagnostic pale shoulder spots (headlights) on the upperwing which occurs in two morph phases. Dark morph bird has uniform dark brown head and body, blackish flight feathers and pale brown underwing coverts. Pale morph bird has mostly whitish underparts with fine brownish streaks, blackish flight feathers and whitish underwing converts.
Similar looking species: Black Kite
Habitat: Reclaimed land, open country and wooded areas.
Behaviour/Ecology: Usually solitary, circling and soaring on thermals.
Local Status: Rare migrant
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2021)
- RAP201: How to Identify Uncommon Raptors (ID Articles)
- Bird List Revision for May 2019 (Revisions)
- RAP301: What is that raptor? (ID Articles)
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Booted Eagle)
References:
BirdLife International. (2021). Hieraaetus pennatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22696092A206456835.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Jeyarajasingam, A., & Pearson, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford University Press.
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Singapore Birds Project. (n.d.). Booted Eagle. Retrieved on May 31, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/booted-eagle.