Booted eagle

The booted eagle, a captivating medium-sized bird of prey, belongs to the Accipitridae family. It inhabits the Palearctic region and southern Asia, with some breeding populations in southwestern Africa. Males typically weigh between 510 and 770 grams, whereas females are slightly heavier, ranging from 840 to 1,025 grams. These birds measure about 40 cm in length and have a wingspan of 110 to 132 cm. They come in two distinct color morphs: the pale form, which is light grey with a dark head, and the mid-brown form.

This eagle species breeds in southern Europe, North Africa, parts of Asia, western South Africa, and Namibia. Northern populations migrate to Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia for the winter, while southern African populations tend to remain resident. Booted eagles prefer wooded, hilly areas that offer a mix of open spaces, and they favor breeding in rocky, rugged terrain.

For nesting, booted eagles use sticks and green leaves to construct their nests in trees or on rocky crags. They typically lay 1 to 2 eggs. The female incubates the eggs for about 45 days, during which the male provides food. Once the chicks hatch, the female stays to guard the nest while the male continues to deliver food. The young eagles fledge after 70 to 75 days. Their diet primarily consists of small mammals, reptiles, and birds.

Recent genetic research has led some experts to reclassify this species into the genus Aquila. However, DNA studies have shown that the booted eagle forms a distinct group with other eagle species. It is closely related to the little eagle and the extinct Haast's eagle from New Zealand. While some authors propose subspecies, most now agree that the booted eagle is a monotypic species.

The booted eagle was first described as Aquila minuta by Brehm in 1831. Interestingly, it is the same species as the fossil bird described as Hieraaetus edwardsi by Milne-Edwards in 1871. Today, it is often referred to as Hieraaetus pennatus.