• The following pages have some identification markers for each of the Aquila Eagles found in India
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• You can also call me on (91)9840119078 , (91) 9445219078 (91) 6369815812 ©www.ogaclicks.com CharacterisedHookedby Beak, Talons requiredabilities Flying and to& kill hunt prey Derivedfrom Latinword RaptorsAny: of numerousof carnivorous birds thatkilland other hunt
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©www.ogaclicks.com Steppe (primaries) Fingers
List of Aquila Eagles found in India
Sno. Name Binomial Name 1 Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata 2 Booted Eagle Aquila pennata 3 Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca 4 Golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos 5 Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga 6 Indian Spotted Eagle Aquila hastata 7 Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis 8 Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax vindhiana
©www.ogaclicks.com ©www.ogaclicks.com 70 cm 70
50 cm 50
80 cm 80
Aquilas Height Comparison 85 cm 85
70 cm cm 70
65 cm 65 70 cm 70
80 cm 80
70 cm 70
Tawny BONELLI’S EAGLE Bonelli's Eagle Identification Tips : Juvenile Bonelli's Eagle : Aquila fasciata : Wide spread Resident in India ( Except South East, East & North East India )
Black bill with yellow cere
Brown upperparts Dark brown upperparts
Thin “socks “ on white legs
Lacks white patch on back and tail band Rusty Underparts
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point www.HBW.com Bonelli's Eagle Identification Tips : Adult Bonelli's Eagle : Aquila fasciata : Wide spread Resident in India ( Except South East, East & North East India )
Brown Crown Black beak with yellow cere
Brown upperparts
White underparts with streaking
Tail longer than folded Thin “Socks” wings
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Bonelli's Eagle Identification Tips : Face Bonelli's Eagle : Aquila fasciata : Wide spread Resident in India ( Except South East, East & North East India )
Iris is yellow
Grey/Black beak with yellow cere
Oval Nostrils
Thin yellow gape, ending before the centre of eyes
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Bonelli's Eagle Identification Tips : Flight from below Bonelli's Eagle : Aquila fasciata : Wide spread Resident in India ( Except South East, East & North East India )
Juvenile Adult
6 fingers Black median coverts
White lesser coverts
Pale barred underwing Brown median & ( Secondaries) lesser coverts
Darker un-barred underwing ( Secondaries)
Brown underparts White underparts
Pale Under wings ( Secondaries) Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Bonelli's Eagle Identification Tips : Flight from above Bonelli's Eagle : Aquila fasciata : Wide spread Resident in India ( Except South East, East & North East India )
Juvenile Adult White patch on back
6 fingers
Dark brown coverts Dark brown wings & coverts Pale black carpal patch Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com BOOTED EAGLE Booted Eagle Identification Tips : Dark Morph Booted Eagle : Aquila Pennata : Wide spread winter visitor in India ( Except South East, North West & North East India )
Brown head Black bill with Dark Brown Brown nape yellow cere Chin & Throat
Dark Brown Breast Brown Scapulars Brown Upperparts
Brown Pale Brown Coverts underparts
Yellow legs Tawny Brown with black thighs talons
Tail is longer than folded wings
Black wings
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point www.HBW.com Booted Eagle Identification Tips : Pale Morph Booted Eagle : Aquila Pennata : Wide spread winter visitor in India ( Except South East, North West & North East India ) Brown Crown with streaking Black wings
Brown Tail
White “Socks” White underparts with streaking Brown Coverts with buff edges
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Booted Eagle Identification Tips : Face Booted Eagle : Aquila Pennata : Wide spread winter visitor in India ( Except South East, North West & North East India )
Brown Iris
Grey/Black beak with yellow cere
Oval Nostrils
Thin yellow gape, at the centre of eyes
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Booted Eagle Identification Tips : Flight from below Booted Eagle : Aquila Pennata : Wide spread winter visitor in India ( Except South East, North West & North East India )
Pale Morph 6 fingers Dark Morph Black median coverts White median & lesser coverts
Dark underwing Brown median & (Secondaries) Darker un-barred lesser coverts underwing ( Secondaries)
Brown underparts
White underparts Pale carpal patch Pale carpal patch
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Booted Eagle Identification Tips : Flight from above Booted Eagle : Aquila Pennata : Wide spread winter visitor in India ( Except South East, North West & North East India ) Adult
6 fingers
Brown tail White patch on scapulars “ Headlights”
Pale Brown coverts
Brown secondaries
Pale carpal patch
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com EASTERN IMPERIAL EAGLE Eastern Imperial Eagle Identification Tips : Juvenile Eastern Imperial Eagle : Aquila heliaca : Widespread Winter visitor in North & Central India
Light brown head
Black beak with yellow cere Sides of head and neck have pale tawny-buff lanceolate feathers
Streaked Buff-Tawny breast
Light Brown Coverts Streaked Buff-Tawny Underparts
Baggy trousers Wing bars
Black Primaries edged Tawny
Yellow toes, black claws
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point www.HBW.com Eastern Imperial Eagle Identification Tips : Adult Eastern Imperial Eagle : Aquila heliaca : Widespread Winter visitor in North & Central India
Tawny buff head
Tawny neck & Nape
White Patches on Scapular
Brown upperparts
Chocolate Brown Underparts
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Eastern Imperial Eagle Identification Tips : Face Eastern Imperial Eagle : Aquila heliaca : Widespread Winter visitor in North & Central India
Iris is brown
Strong Black beak with yellow cere
Oval Nostrils Bigger yellow gape, ending before the centre of eyes
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Eastern Imperial Eagle Identification Tips : Flight from below Eastern Imperial Eagle : Aquila heliaca : Widespread Winter visitor in North & Central India
Juvenile 7 fingers
Pale Median & lesser underwing coverts
Darker median & lesser underwing coverts Adult
Black Greater underwing coverts
Pale Greater underwing coverts
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Eastern Imperial Eagle Identification Tips : Flight from above Eastern Imperial Eagle : Aquila heliaca : Widespread Winter visitor in North & Central India
Adult Juvenile White patch on Scapulars
Wingbars
Tawny buff Uppertail coverts
Tawny buff Median & lesser wing coverts
Brown Barred secondary feathers with white edges
Dark brown wings & coverts
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com GOLDEN EAGLE Golden Eagle Identification Tips : Juvenile Golden Eagle : Aquila chrysaetos : Resident of Himalayas
Golden brown nape
Black beak with yellow cere Sides of head and neck have pale golden-brown lanceolate feathers
Brown upperparts
Brown Coverts Black wings
White Band on tail
Large Brown “socks “ on white legs
Yellow toes, black claws Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point www.HBW.com Golden Eagle Identification Tips : Adult Golden Eagle : Aquila chrysaetos : Resident of Himalayas
Golden brown Crown Upperwing coverts paler Golden brown nape Brown than rest of feathers, upperparts forming a tawny diagonal bar
Black beak with yellow cere
Tail longer than folded wings
Chocolate Brown Tail
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Golden Eagle Identification Tips : Face Golden Eagle : Aquila chrysaetos : Resident of Himalayas
Iris is yellow
Strong Black beak with yellow cere
Oval Nostrils Bigger yellow gape, ending before the centre of eyes
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Golden Eagle Identification Tips : Flight from below Golden Eagle : Aquila chrysaetos : Resident of Himalayas
Juvenile
7 fingers
Darker median & lesser underwing coverts
White patch at carpal joint of wing White undertail with black band at tips
Adult
Pale Under wings ( Secondaries) Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Golden Eagle Identification Tips : Flight from above Golden Eagle : Aquila chrysaetos : Resident of Himalayas
Adult Juvenile Brown upperparts, no white patch 7 fingers
White band on tail Dark brown wings & coverts
White patch at carpal joint of wing Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE Greater Spotted Eagle Identification Tips : Juvenile Greater Spotted Eagle : Aquila clanga : Widespread Winter visitor in North , Central , West & East India
Slate-black beak with yellow cere Light brown head
Long brown feathers at nape & neck forming heckles
Yellow gape
White to yellow spots on Upperwing- coverts White to yellow spots on scapulars White to yellow spots on back
Light brown Baggy trousers
Blackish tail with diffuse pale tip
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Greater Spotted Eagle Identification Tips : Adult Greater Spotted Eagle : Aquila clanga : Widespread Winter visitor in North , Central , West & East India
Black beak with yellow cere Uniform black to dark Brown upperparts
Unbarred brown tail
Long brown feathers at nape & neck forming heckles
Prominent thick “Socks”
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Greater Spotted Eagle Identification Tips : Fulvesence Morph Greater Spotted Eagle : Aquila clanga : Widespread Winter visitor in North , Central , West & East India
Black beak with yellow cere Tawny-brown head Tawny-brown nape Tawny-brown upperparts
Tawny-brown Underparts
Tawny-brown “Socks”
Tawny-brown Black Wings mixed with Black Tail black coverts Greater Spotted Eagle Identification Tips : Face Greater Spotted Eagle : Aquila clanga: Widespread Winter visitor in North , Central , West & East India
Iris is Brown
Strong Black beak with yellow cere
Round Nostrils Bigger yellow gape, before the centre of eyes
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Greater Spotted Eagle Identification Tips : Flight from below Greater Spotted Eagle : Aquila clanga : Widespread Winter visitor in North , Central , West & East India
7 fingers , Less deeper than Steppe
Lighter Median & Brown Median & lesser under lesser under coverts coverts Black Greater Black Greater under coverts under coverts
White undertail- coverts
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Greater Spotted Eagle Identification Tips : Flight from above Greater Spotted Eagle : Aquila clanga: Widespread Winter visitor in North , Central , West & East India
White to yellow spots on Juvenile Upperwing- coverts Adult
Brown wing coverts without spots
Un-barred / lightly barred Un-barred / lightly barred secondary feathers with secondary feathers faint white edges
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com INDIAN SPOTTED EAGLE Indian Spotted Eagle Identification Tips : Juvenile Indian Spotted Eagle : Aquila hastata : Widespread Winter visitor in North , Central , West & East India Light brown head with faint white spots on crown
Slate-black beak with yellow cere Pigeon like rounded head
Long brown feathers at nape & neck forming heckles
Wide yellow gape
White spots on scapulars
White spots on coverts
Light brown thin socks, Longer legs
Brownish tail
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Indian Spotted Eagle Identification Tips : Adult Indian Spotted Eagle : Aquila hastata : Widespread Winter visitor in North , Central , West & East India
Pigeon like rounded head
Black beak with yellow cere Long brown feathers at nape & neck forming heckles
Uniform dark Brown upperparts
Wings are darker than body Thinner “Socks”, Longer legs
Black tail
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Indian Spotted Eagle Identification Tips : Juvenile Indian Spotted Eagle : Aquila hastata : Widespread Winter visitor in North , Central , West & East India
Iris is brown, Brown eyering
Strong Black beak with yellow cere
Bigger yellow gape, beyond the centre of eyes Round Nostrils
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Indian Spotted Eagle Identification Tips : Adult Indian Spotted Eagle : Aquila hastata : Widespread Winter visitor in North , Central , West & East India 6 fingers , Less deeper than Steppe 6 fingers , Less deeper than Steppe
Adult Juvenile Lighter Median & lesser under coverts Black Greater under coverts Brown Median & Black Greater lesser under under coverts coverts Juvenile
White patch at end of Spotting on thighs primaries & Underparts
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Indian Spotted Eagle Identification Tips : Flight from above Indian Spotted Eagle : Aquila hastata: Widespread Winter visitor in North , Central , West & East India Juvenile
White edges to secondaries & coverts
6 fingers , Less deeper than Steppe
Un-barred / lightly barred secondary feathers with faint white edges
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com STEPPE EAGLE Steppe Eagle Identification Tips : Juvenile Steppe Eagle : Aquila nipalensis: Widespread Winter visitor in North & Central India
Black beak with yellow cere Light brown head
Long brown feathers at nape & neck forming heckles
Pale brown upperparts
Brown underparts , unstreaked White Bands on wings
Brown Tail with dark brown subterminal Baggy trousers bands
Yellow toes, black claws
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point www.HBW.com Steppe Eagle Identification Tips : Adult Steppe Eagle : Aquila nipalensis: Widespread Winter visitor in North & Central India
Prominent rufous nape patch
Brown upperparts
Long Socks
Prominent rufous nape patch Black beak with yellow cere Long brown feathers at nape & neck forming heckles
Brown upperparts
Brown Tail
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Steppe Eagle Identification Tips : Face Steppe Eagle : Aquila nipalensis: Widespread Winter visitor in North & Central India
Iris is brown, Brown eyering
Strong Black beak with yellow cere
Oval Nostrils Bigger yellow gape, Beyond the centre of eyes
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Steppe Eagle Identification Tips : Flight from below Steppe Eagle : Aquila nipalensis: Widespread Winter visitor in North & Central India
7 fingers
Pale white patch
White band across Greater coverts
Brown Barred secondary White undertail- coverts feathers with white edges Dark undertail- coverts
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Steppe Eagle Identification Tips : Flight from above Steppe Eagle : Aquila nipalensis: Widespread Winter visitor in North & Central India Juvenile Rufous nape patch White wingbars Adult
Dark brown wings , lacks any wing bars Brown Barred secondary feathers with white edges
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com TAWNY EAGLE Tawny Eagle Identification Tips : Tawny Morph Tawny Eagle : Aquila rapax vindhiana: Widespread Resident in India ( Except Kerala, Tamil Nadu , East & North East India)
Tawny-brown Crown & head
Sides of head and neck Black beak with have pale Tawny-brown yellow cere lanceolate feathers
Tawny- Brown Coverts Brown upperparts
Brown wings Tawny Brown “socks “ Brown tail
Yellow toes, black claws
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point www.HBW.com Tawny Eagle Identification Tips : Dark Morph Tawny Eagle : Aquila rapax vindhiana: Widespread Resident in India ( Except Kerala, Tamil Nadu , East & North East India) Dark Brown Crown & head Dark brown nape Brown upperparts
Black beak with yellow cere Upperwing coverts paler than rest of feathers,
Brown Underparts
Brown Tail Brown “socks “
Yellow toes, black claws
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Tawny Eagle Identification Tips : Face Tawny Eagle : Aquila rapax vindhiana: Widespread Resident in India ( Except Kerala, Tamil Nadu , East & North East India)
Iris is yellow, Yellow eyering
Strong Black beak with yellow cere
Bigger yellow gape, ending at the centre of eyes Oval Nostrils
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Tawny Eagle Identification Tips : Flight from below Tawny Eagle : Aquila rapax vindhiana: Widespread Resident in India ( Except Kerala, Tamil Nadu , East & North East India)
7 fingers
Pale carpal patch
Paler median & lesser underwing coverts
Dark Under wings ( Secondaries)
Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Tawny Eagle Identification Tips : Flight from above Tawny Eagle : Aquila rapax vindhiana: Widespread Resident in India ( Except Kerala, Tamil Nadu , East & North East India)
Tawny Brown coverts
Black Secondaries
Black Primaries
7 fingers Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Aquilas at a glance
Bonelli’s Eagle : Greater Spotted Eagle : Adult : White Underparts Streaked Adult : Chocolate brown Juvenile : Buff- Brown Underparts Juvenile : White & Yellow spots on coverts Gape : Ends at centre of eyes Gape : Ends at centre of eyes Iris : Yellow Iris : Brown Nostril : Oval Nostril : Round
Booted Eagle : Indian Spotted Eagle : Dark Morph : Dark Underparts Streaked Adult : Chocolate brown Pale Morph : White Underparts Juvenile : White spots on greater coverts Gape : Ends before centre of eyes Gape : Ends beyond centre of eyes ( most prominent Iris : Brown gape of all Aquilas) Nostril : Oval Iris : Brown Nostril : Round Head : Pigeon shaped ( According to me) Eastern Imperial Eagle : Steppe Eagle : Adult : White patch on scapulars Adult : Rufous patch on nape Juvenile : Streaked underparts Juvenile : White edges to wings , white wing bars Gape : Ends at centre of eyes Gape : Ends beyond centre of eyes Iris : Brown Iris : Brown Nostril : Oval Nostril : Oval
Golden Eagle : Tawny Eagle : Adult : Golden Nape & Head Adult : Various plumage Juvenile : Little golden feathers on nape Juvenile : Various Plumage Gape : Ends at centre of eyes Gape : Ends at centre of eyes Iris : Yellow Iris : Yellow Nostril : Oval Nostril : Oval ©www.ogaclicks.com Head Comparison of Aquilas ©www.ogaclicks.com
Tawny Eagle Steppe Eagle Elliptical Nostril Bigger yellow gape, up to Elliptical Nostril Bigger yellow gape, beyond the centre of eyes the centre of eyes
Round Nostril Round Nostril Greater Spotted Eagle Indian Spotted Eagle Bigger yellow gape, up to Bigger yellow the centre of gape, beyond eyes the centre of eyes