Lesser Spotted Eagle
Aquila pomarina (Lesson)

Identification: It is about the size of a large buzzard measuring from 60 to 65 cm. in length, but is larger winged than a buzzard in flight. Upper tail coverts are dingy white, but rarely form a whitish band across the base of the tail. It is chocolate brown in colour, the wings are dark brown - darker than the rest of the plumage. Its bill is slender, and its eyes, cere and feet are yellow. It is easily confused with the Greater Spotted and Imperial eagles.

Habitat: It is found in woodlands, hills and near water bodies.

Distribution: This bird was sighted at the Chashma Barrage in 1870 in March, at Rawal Lake near Islamabad by Hirschfeld in 1988. Clark and Khan sighted the bird on 27 January 1993 at Rawal Lake.

Breeding: It breeds between April and July and lays 2 eggs.

Food: Chiefly feeds on lizards, young and weak birds, rats, etc.

Status: Straggler