Wildlifeof Bhutan
Bonelli's Eagle
Birds of Prey
Photo: (c) Fred Derks, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY (May be cropped or resized)
Aquila fasciata
Basic stats
Habitat
Hilly or mountainous country with rocky walls or crags; in the Himalayas at 1,200–2,000m and up to 3,750m in Bhutan
Range
Southern Europe, the Sahara's mountain edge and across the Indian subcontinent to Indonesia
Size
55–74cm
Wingspan
Males 143–163cm; females 156–180cm
Bonelli's eagle is a large bird of prey, 55 to 74cm long, with a wingspan of 143 to 163cm in males and 156 to 180cm in females. It has a medium-sized head on a fairly long neck, a strong bill, exceptionally long, well-feathered legs, and is dark brown above with pale feather margins. As in most birds of prey, the female is larger, averaging about 10% larger (Wikipedia, general species account).
It usually lives at 1,500m or lower in Europe, at 1,200 to 2,000m in the Himalayas and up to 3,750m in Bhutan. It often occurs in hilly or mountainous habitats with rocky walls or crags and is usually a resident breeder. When its staple prey is scarce it switches to being an opportunistic predator of many birds.
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Bonelli's Eagle live in?
- Hilly or mountainous country with rocky walls or crags; in the Himalayas at 1,200–2,000m and up to 3,750m in Bhutan
- Where is the Bonelli's Eagle found?
- Southern Europe, the Sahara's mountain edge and across the Indian subcontinent to Indonesia
- How big is the Bonelli's Eagle?
- 55–74cm
- What is the wingspan of the Bonelli's Eagle?
- Males 143–163cm; females 156–180cm