Bonelli's Eagle

Aquila fasciata
Wingspan

150–180cm

Body length

60–75cm

Weight

1,400–2,200g

Profile

Life expectancy
Clutch size
Usually 2 eggs
Global status
Activity
Migration
Falconry

Identification

Broad wings, a long tail and a pale body between dark underwing coverts. The terminal tail band is broad in adults and still indistinct in juveniles.

Colours

Plumage
Eyes
Legs & feet

Adult

Pale, dark-streaked underparts, dark underwing coverts and a broad dark terminal tail band. Brown above with a white back patch; both sexes similarly coloured.

Behaviour

Pairs hold permanent territories; after leaving the parental territory, young birds roam widely.

Breeding & rearing

The stick nest is usually on a cliff, regionally in a tree. Incubation lasts about 37–40 days; the young fledge after around two months.

Diet

Prey examples

Rabbits
Pigeons

Rabbits and medium-sized birds, especially pigeons and gamebirds, make up the main diet. Regionally, lizards are added.

Occasional

Lizards

Hunting

Bonelli's Eagle: Ambush hunting · Pursuit · Cooperative hunting
Ambush huntingPursuitCooperative hunting

It surprises rabbits and birds in fast flight along slopes or attacks from a perch. Pairs may cooperate when hunting.

Distribution

Range

Mediterranean to South & South-East Asia

Status in Germany

Rare visitor

Habitat

Rocky hills and gorges with open scrub, open woodland and farmland. Rock ledges, regionally also trees, hold the nest.

Rock faces and ledges above open scrubland
Rocky landscapes
Old mixed broadleaf forest with clearings and forest edges
Forests
Open meadows, fields and varied hedgerow landscape
Meadows & fields
Bonelli's Eagle