Lesser Spotted Eagle
Scientific Name: Aquila pomarinaMaltese Name: Ajkla tat-Tikek
Family: Vultures, Eagles and Hawk (Accipitridae)
Occurence: Very Scarce
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Lesser Spotted Eagle is a large Eastern European bird of prey. This is a medium-sized eagle, about 60 cm in length and with a wingspan of 150 cm. A medium-sized, dark and compact eagle. Has broad wings with fingered tips and a small bill. Plumage is dark brown with paler head and neck and upperwing-coverts. Shows a small white primary patch above. The underwing-coverts are paler than the flight feathers when seen from below. Juveniles are darker above than adults. They have a rufous patch on the nape. The Lesser Spotted Eagle breeds in Central and Eastern Europe and southeastward to Turkey, and winters in Africa. This is a very wary species of open or lightly wooded country, in which it hunts small mammals and similar terrestrial prey. This eagle lays 1–3 white buff-spotted eggs in a tree nest.
Status:
Very Scarce and irregular autumn migrant. Used to be much more rarer in the past, with only 1 record, if any, per year. Recently sightings have increased, with a total number of 11 birds seen in 2008. Mostly seen in singles. On two occasions, 5 Lesser Spotted Eagles where seen in a flock; on 13th October 2001 and on 28th September 2008. On 24th September 2008 a flock of 3 birds was seen. Most of the Lesser Spotted Eagles that visit the Maltese Islands end-up shot by poachers when they come down to roost.
When to See:
Late September till mid-October.
Where to See:
May be seen flying over from anywhere but best place is Buskett as autumn raptor migration is monitored from here. Rarely, Lesser Spotted Eagles roost at Buskett.
Photographs:
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Juvenile Lesser Spotted Eagle, 29th September 2010, Buskett |
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| Lesser Spotted Eagles, 24th September 2009, Buskett | 3 Lesser Spotted Eagles, 24th September 2008, Buskett |
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| Lesser Spotted Eagles, 15th September 2007, Buskett | Lesser Spotted Eagle and Egyptian Vulture, 28th September 2009, Buskett |
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