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Himalayas to the Coast: the Diversity of Eagles in India

Eagles are majestic birds of prey that are revered and respected throughout the world. They are powerful hunters, with keen eyesight and sharp talons that make them capable of taking down large prey with ease. In the Indian sub-continent, there are many different species of eagles, each with its own unique characteristics and behaviors.

NameScientific NameRegionsFeatureHabitatPreyTypeEndangered?
Indian Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosIndia, South AsiaGolden-yellow plumage on its head and neck, and dark brown feathers on its body and wingsForests, mountains, and grasslandsSmall mammals, reptiles, and birdsLarge birdYes
White Tailed EagleHaliaeetus albicillaEurope, Asia, and North AmericaDark brown body and wings, and a white tail with a dark band at the tipCoastal and inland areas, including marshes, estuaries, and riversFish, water birds, and small mammalsLarge birdendangered
Greater Spotted EagleClanga clangaEurope, Asia, and AfricaDark brown body and wings, and a light-colored head and tailWetland, forest, and grasslandSmall mammals, reptiles, fish, and birdsLarge birdendangered
Lesser Spotted EagleClanga pomarinaEurope and AsiaDark brown body and wings, with a white head, and a light-colored tailWetland, grassland, and forest habitatsSmall mammals, reptiles, fish, insects, and birdsMedium-sized birdDecreased population
Bonelli’s EagleAquila fasciataSouthern Europe, Africa, and AsiaDark brown plumage and a distinctive white patch on the back of its headWoodlands, mountains, and desertsSmall mammals, reptiles, and birdsLarge birdendangered
Tawny EagleAquila rapaxAfrica and AsiaDark brown plumage and a distinctive white patch on the back of its headSavannas, deserts, and mountainsSmall mammals, reptiles, carrion, and birdsLarge birdpopulation is declining
Steppe EagleAquila nipalensisAsia and EuropeDark brown plumage, with a distinctive white patch on the back of its headGrassland, desert, and mountainSmall mammals, reptiles, carrion, and birdsLarge birdnear-threatened
Indian Spotted EagleAquila hastataIndia and other parts of South AsiaDark brown plumage with white spots and a distinctive white patch on the back of its headWetland, grassland, and forestSmall mammals, reptiles, and birdsMedium-sized birdendangered
Pallas’s Fish EagleHaliaeetus leucoryphusAsiaDark brown plumage with a white head and tail and a distinctive white patch on the back of its headRivers, lakes, and deltasFishLarge birdendangered
Crested Serpant EagleSpilornis cheelaAsiaTropical and subtropical forests and grasslandsTropical and subtropical forests and grasslandsMammals, birds, and insectsMedium-sized birdpopulations are stable
Indian Black EagleIctinaetus malayensisIndia and other parts of South AsiaBlack plumage with a distinctive white patch on the back of its headForested habitatsSmall mammals, reptiles, and birdsMedium-sized birdthreatened due to loss of habitat
White Bellied Sea EagleHaliaeetus leucogasterAustralia, New Guinea, and nearby islandsWhite belly and head, with dark brown plumage on its wings and backCoastal regions, large rivers, and freshwater wetlandsFish, reptiles, mammals, and birdsLarge birdnear threatened
South Nicobar Serpent EagleSpilornis klossiNicobar IslandsDark brown plumage with a distinctive crest of feathers on its headCoastal regionsMammals, birds, and insectsMedium-sized birdcritically endangered
Mountain Hawk EagleNisaetus nipalensisAsiaDark brown plumage with a distinctive white patch on the back of its head and a crest of feathers on its headMountainous regionsSmall mammals, reptiles, and birdsMedium-sized birdNear Threatened
Andaman Serpant EagleSpilornis elginiAndaman and Nicobar IslandsDark brown plumage with a distinctive crest of feathers on its headCoastal regionsReptiles, specifically snakesMedium-sized birdcritically endangered
Diversity of Eagles in India

Indian Golden Eagle

The Indian Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a large bird of prey that is native to India and other parts of South Asia. It has a distinctive golden-yellow plumage on its head and neck, and dark brown feathers on its body and wings. The Indian Golden Eagle is found in a variety of habitats, including forests, mountains, and grasslands. It feeds on a variety of prey, including small mammals, reptiles, and birds. The species is considered to be endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.

The White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is a large bird of prey that is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. It has a dark brown body and wings, and a white tail with a dark band at the tip. The White-tailed Eagle has a broad wingspan, which can reach up to 2.5 meters, and it is one of the largest eagles in the world. They are found in coastal and inland areas, including marshes, estuaries, and rivers, where they feed on fish, water birds, and small mammals. The species is considered to be endangered due to habitat loss, hunting, and pollution. Populations have recovered well in some parts of Europe and North America but remain critically low in other parts of their range.

Greater Spotted Eagle

The Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga) is a large bird of prey that is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. It has a dark brown body and wings, and a light-colored head and tail. The Greater Spotted Eagle has a wingspan that can reach up to 2 meters. It is a migratory species and during the breeding season can be found in wetland, forest, and grassland habitats. They feed on a variety of prey, including small mammals, reptiles, and birds, but also on fish, especially during the non-breeding season. The species is considered to be endangered due to habitat loss and degradation, hunting, and pollution. Populations have decreased significantly in recent years, and the species is listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List.

Lesser Spotted Eagle

The Lesser Spotted Eagle (Clanga pomarina) is a medium-sized bird of prey that is native to Europe and Asia. It has a dark brown body and wings, a white head, and a light-colored tail. The Lesser Spotted Eagle has a wingspan that can reach up to 1.5 meters. They are typically found in wetland, grassland, and forest habitats and feed on a variety of prey, including small mammals, reptiles, and birds, but also on fish and insects. The species is considered to be endangered due to habitat loss and degradation, hunting, and pollution. Populations have decreased significantly in recent years, and the species is listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List.

Bonelli’s Eagle

The Bonelli’s eagle (Aquila fasciata) is a large bird of prey that is native to Southern Europe, Africa, and Asia. It has dark brown plumage and a distinctive white patch on the back of its head. The Bonelli’s eagle has a wingspan that can reach up to 2 meters. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, mountains, and deserts, and they feed on a variety of prey, including small mammals, reptiles, and birds. The species is considered to be endangered due to habitat loss and degradation, hunting, and pollution. Populations have decreased in recent years, and the species is listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List.

Tawny Eagle

The Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax) is a large bird of prey that is native to Africa and Asia. It has dark brown plumage and a distinctive white patch on the back of its head. The Tawny Eagle has a wingspan that can reach up to 2 meters. They are typically found in semi-arid and arid habitats such as savannas, deserts, and mountains and feed on a variety of prey, including small mammals, reptiles, and birds. They also scavenge on carrion. The species is not considered endangered, but its population is declining in certain regions due to habitat loss, hunting, and persecution.

Steppe Eagle

The Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) is a large bird of prey that is native to Asia and Europe. It has a dark brown plumage, with a distinctive white patch on the back of its head. The Steppe Eagle has a wingspan that can reach up to 2 meters. They are typically found in grassland, desert, and mountain habitats and feed on a variety of prey, including small mammals, reptiles, and birds. They also scavenge on carrion. The species is considered to be near-threatened due to habitat loss, hunting, and persecution in certain parts of its range. Populations have decreased in recent years, but conservation efforts have been successful in some areas.

Indian Spotted Eagle

The Indian Spotted Eagle (Aquila hastata) is a bird of prey that is native to India and other parts of South Asia. It has a dark brown plumage with white spots and a distinctive white patch on the back of its head. The Indian Spotted Eagle has a wingspan that can reach up to 2 meters. They are typically found in wetland, grassland, and forest habitats and feed on a variety of prey, including small mammals, reptiles, and birds. The species is considered to be endangered due to habitat loss and degradation, hunting, and pollution. Populations have decreased significantly in recent years, and the species is listed as “endangered” on the IUCN Red List.

Pallas’s Fish Eagle

The Pallas’s Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus) is a large bird of prey that is native to Asia, specifically found in freshwater habitats such as rivers, lakes, and deltas in Russia, China, and Southeast Asia. It has dark brown plumage with a white head and tail and a distinctive white patch on the back of its head. The Pallas’s Fish Eagle has a wingspan that can reach up to 2.5 meters and it feeds mostly on fish, which constitute over 90% of its diet. The species is considered to be endangered due to habitat loss and degradation, hunting, and pollution. Populations have decreased significantly in recent years, and the species is listed as “endangered” on the IUCN Red List.

Crested Serpant Eagle

The Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) is a medium-sized bird of prey that is native to Asia, specifically found in tropical and subtropical forests and grasslands. It has dark brown plumage with a distinctive crest of feathers on its head and a white patch on the back of its head. The Crested Serpent Eagle has a wingspan that can reach up to 1.5 meters and it feeds mostly on reptiles, specifically snakes. They also feed on mammals, birds, and insects. The species is not considered to be endangered and its populations are stable, but it is considered as near threatened due to loss of habitat, hunting and trapping.

Indian Black Eagle

The Indian Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malayensis) is a medium-sized bird of prey that is native to India and other parts of South Asia. As the name suggests, it has black plumage with a distinctive white patch on the back of its head. The Indian Black Eagle has a wingspan that can reach up to 1.5 meters. They are typically found in forested habitats and feed on a variety of prey, including small mammals, reptiles, and birds. The species is not considered to be endangered but it is considered as near threatened due to loss of habitat, hunting, and trapping.

White Bellied Sea Eagle

The White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) is a large bird of prey that is native to Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. As the name suggests, it has a white belly and head, with dark brown plumage on its wings and back. The White-bellied Sea Eagle has a wingspan that can reach up to 2.5 meters and it feeds mostly on fish, but also on reptiles, mammals, and birds. They are found along coastal regions and also in large rivers and freshwater wetlands. The species is not considered to be endangered but it is considered as near threatened due to loss of habitat, hunting, and trapping.

South Nicobar Serpent Eagle

The South Nicobar Serpent Eagle (Spilornis klossi) is a medium-sized bird of prey that is native to the Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, India. It has dark brown plumage with a distinctive crest of feathers on its head. The South Nicobar Serpent Eagle has a wingspan that can reach up to 1.5 meters and it feeds mostly on reptiles, specifically snakes. They also feed on mammals, birds, and insects. The species is considered to be critically endangered due to habitat loss and degradation, hunting, and trapping. Its population is estimated to be less than 250 mature individuals and it is considered one of the rarest birds of prey in the world.

Muntain Hawk Eagle

The Mountain Hawk-eagle (Nisaetus nipalensis) is a medium-sized bird of prey that is native to Asia, specifically found in mountainous regions, such as the Himalayas, and also in tropical and subtropical forests. It has dark brown plumage with a distinctive white patch on the back of its head and a crest of feathers on its head. The Mountain Hawk-eagle has a wingspan that can reach up to 1.5 meters and it feeds on a variety of prey, including small mammals, reptiles, and birds. The species is considered to be Near Threatened due to habitat loss and degradation, hunting, and trapping. Its population is declining in some parts of its range, but it is still relatively widespread and common in others.

Andaman Serpant Eagle

The Andaman Serpent Eagle (Spilornis elgini) is a medium-sized bird of prey that is found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, India. It has dark brown plumage with a distinctive crest of feathers on its head. The Andaman Serpent Eagle has a wingspan that can reach up to 1.5 meters and it feeds mostly on reptiles, specifically snakes. They also feed on mammals, birds, and insects. The species is considered to be critically endangered due to habitat loss and degradation, hunting, and trapping. Its population is estimated to be less than 250 mature individuals and it is considered one of the rarest birds of prey in the world.

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