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Lesser Spotted Eagle | Aquila pomarina

The Lesser Spotted Eagle is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Accipitridae bird family group which includes birds such as Raptors, Old Vultures, Osprey.

The description for the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Latin name Aquila pomarina) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Aquila pomarina can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 134 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 530. You will find a picture of the Lesser Spotted Eagle on page 497.

NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any.

There have been no changes in the common name between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition. There have been no changes in the Latin name for the Lesser Spotted Eagle between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition

The Lesser Spotted Eagle is known in Afrikaans as Gevlekte Arend.

The Lesser Spotted Eagle has a height of 65 cms and weighs around 1200 gms. The head is coloured brown while the bill is coloured black. The Aquila pomarina has a brown coloured throat, balck legs and a brown coloured back. The eyes are brown.

Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts.

Head is brown

Eyes are brown

Bill is black

Legs are balck

Throat is brown

Back is brown

Feeding Habits ...

This bird forages for food on the ground

The diet includes small mammals such as rabbits, field mice and other rodents. Rodents are usually taken from the ground and killed using the sharp claws. The Lesser Spotted Eagle uses its hard bill to tear up the flesh.

This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten .

Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...

The nest is built high up in the tree canopy and is protected from predators by branches and the dense green foligae.

The Lesser Spotted Eagle is mainly found in light and densely wooded forests, where there are Mopane trees.

Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...

This bird is usually seen in small family groups or in large flocks

The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition * edited by PAR Hockey, WRJ Dean and PG Ryan, published by "The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund."