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Eagles & Vultures
Short toed
Short-toed Snake Eagle
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
The Short-toed Eagle is one of the largest raptors that visit our islands. Although it is a very scarce visitor, sizeable flocks have been recorded since the early 90's.
This eagle will take four years in order to moult to its adult plumage. Adults will have heavily barred flight feathers. Whitish underparts and dark hood and chest. Underparts variably barred with 2-3 tail-bands, but leaves an overall pale impression. Primaries have six distinctive fingers. Pale individuals may show pale throat and chest. Soars on flat or marginally raised wings, with hand stretched slightly forward. Tail slender with straight cut end and sharp corners.
Diet
Its prey is mostly reptiles, mainly snakes, but also some lizards. Occasionally, they prey on small mammals up to the size of a rabbit, and rarely birds and large insects.
Longevity record
15 years
Ajkla Bajda
Circaetus gallicus
Accipitriformes
Accipitridae
Very scarce
Usually seen in
September - November
Occasionally seen in
April - June, December
Click on the image to open slideshow
1/9
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (kg):
62 - 69
162 - 178
1.2 - 2.3
Lesser Spotted
Lesser Spotted Eagle
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
The Lesser Spotted Eagle is one of the largest raptors that visit our islands. It is a rare visitor which is usually seen individually.
It has evenly broad wings and relatively short tail. Its flight-feathers are darker than the pale brown coverts, both on upper and underwing. Head and body distinctly paler than flight feathers. Conspicuous pale patch at base of inner primaries on upperwing. U-shaped white patch at base of tail.
Immature birds with white tipped greater and median coverts, forming two narrow wing-bands. Primaries showing 6 protruded "fingers", with a 7th shorter finger. Sours and glides with wings held horizontally, but with characteristic drooping hand.
Diet
Mainly mammals (90%) and a little of fish and birds (10%)
Longevity record
20-25 years
Ajkla tat-Tikki
Clanga pomarina
Accipitriformes
Accipitridae
Rare
Usually seen in
September - November
Occasionally seen in
March - April
Click on the image to open slideshow
2935-240920
2956-240920
2935-240920
1/6
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (kg):
55 - 65
143 - 168
1.0 - 2.2
Booted
Booted Eagle
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
The Booted Eagle is a very small eagle which is usually smaller than a normally sized Honey Buzzard.
It has a long tailed, slender build and have white ''indicator'' patches at base of wings. Occurs in pale and dark morph. Six ''6'' distinct ''fingers'' i.e. 6 feathers protruding from the primaries that are typical with eagles.
Diet
It hunts small mammals, reptiles and birds.
Longevity record
12 years
Ajkla tal-Kalzetti
Hieraaetus pennatus
Accipitriformes
Accipitridae
Very scarce
Usually seen in
September - October
Occasionally seen in
November - May
Click on the image to open slideshow
20160834
1/17
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
42 - 51
110 - 135
630 - 1145
Egyptian
Egyptian Vulture
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
A small vulture with a characteristic flight profile and distinct plumage with a white body, white coverts and black flight feathers (in adults). Long, wedge-shaped tail, but not longer than wings are broad. Wings square and broad, full hand. Small head with thin bill and a yellow face in adults.
Immature birds are dark brown with paler coverts. Despite the less distinct plumage, the silhouette is similar to adults. Noticeably more active wing flapping and quicker wing-beats than in the large vultures.
Diet
Egyptian vultures are carnivorous, feeding mostly on carrion, but they are also known to eat insects, small reptiles and mammals, crustaceans, snails, bird eggs, nestlings, and the dung of larger animals.
Longevity record
17 years (Found dead, electrocuted in Spain, G 09545)
Avultun Abjad
Neophron percnopterus
Accipitriformes
Accipitridae
Rare
Usually seen in
September - October, March - April
Occasionally seen in
May - June, August
Click on the image to open slideshow
1/3
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (kg):
59 - 70
156 - 170
1.8 - 2.4
*Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.
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