Short-toed Eagle
Circaetus gallicus
The Short-toed Eagle is a rare summer visitor to Britain, typically seen in the southern regions during the warmer months, and is notable for its distinctive hunting style and preference for open, dry habitats. It is a medium-sized bird of prey that can be spotted in the UK, although sightings are infrequent and often associated with migration periods.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Short-toed Eagle in the field.
The Short-toed Eagle can be identified at a glance by its pale underside, dark brown upperparts, and a distinctive white stripe above its eye, as well as its broad wings and long tail. Its underwing coverts are also pale, contrasting with the darker flight feathers.
The Short-toed Eagle is larger than a Buzzard, with a more slender build, and is comparable in size to a small kite.
The male Short-toed Eagle has a dark brown back and wings, with a pale brownish-grey head and a white underside, featuring dark streaks on the breast and belly, with little to no seasonal variation in its plumage.
The female Short-toed Eagle is similar to the male, with no significant differences in plumage, although females may appear slightly larger and have more pronounced streaking on the underside.
The Short-toed Eagle's call is a loud, piercing "kek-kek-kek" or a shrill "kyek-kyek-kyek", often heard during the breeding season or when the bird is in flight.
The Short-toed Eagle is a skilled hunter that specializes in catching snakes and lizards, and can be seen flying low over open ground, scanning for prey, or perched in a tree, surveying its surroundings, with a slow and deliberate wingbeat.
The Short-toed Eagle can be confused with the Montagu's Harrier or the Marsh Harrier, but can be distinguished by its broader wings, longer tail, and pale underside, as well as its distinctive white stripe above the eye and its preference for dry, open habitats.
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