Bonelli's Eagle Bird Facts (Aquila fasciata)

The Bonelli's Eagle is a large, powerful raptor with a distinctive appearance. Adults display dark brown upperparts contrasting with a white underside, often streaked with black. The long, broad wings and barred tail are characteristic features, while the head shows a pale throat and dark 'moustache' markings.

Females are noticeably larger than males but share similar plumage. Juveniles have rufous-brown upperparts and buff underparts, gradually acquiring adult plumage over several years.

The Bonelli's Eagle can be found in Woodland habitats.

The Bonelli's Eagle is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Bonelli's Eagle is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

The Bonelli's Eagle is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Bonelli's Eagle is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Bonelli's Eagle is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Bonelli's Eagle can be found in Grassland habitats.

The Bonelli's Eagle is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Bonelli's Eagle is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Bonelli's Eagle is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Bonelli's Eagle can be found in Mountain habitats.

The Bonelli's Eagle is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Bonelli's Eagles inhabit a range of open to semi-open landscapes, from Mediterranean coastal areas to arid mountain ranges. They prefer rugged, rocky terrain with cliffs for nesting, interspersed with woodland and open areas for hunting.

Their distribution spans from southern Europe and North Africa, across the Middle East, to parts of South and Southeast Asia. In Europe, they are most common in Spain and Portugal, with smaller populations in southern France and Italy.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Bonelli's Eagle. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Kuwait

Species that pass through the area during migration

Afghanistan

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Austria Azerbaijan Bangladesh Belgium Czechia Denmark Germany Hungary Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Luxembourg Mongolia Netherlands Romania Slovakia Sri Lanka Sweden

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Bonelli's Eagle demonstrates remarkable agility, performing spectacular aerial displays including steep dives and loop-the-loops during courtship. Their ability to manoeuvre swiftly in varied terrains, from coastal areas to mountainous regions, showcases their exceptional aerial prowess.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a large raptor with a powerful build, the Bonelli's Eagle possesses considerable strength. Their ability to carry medium-sized prey such as rabbits and partridges, coupled with their impressive wingspan of up to 180 cm, indicates robust physical power.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

These eagles exhibit notable adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats from sea level to 3000 metres elevation. Their versatile diet and ability to hunt in various landscapes, from open areas to woodlands, demonstrate their adaptive nature.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Bonelli's Eagles display moderate to high aggressiveness, particularly in territorial defence and hunting. Their cooperative hunting strategy and willingness to tackle a variety of prey, including agile birds and mammals, indicate a assertive predatory nature.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

With their ability to soar for extended periods and perform energy-intensive aerial displays, Bonelli's Eagles show high endurance. Their partial migratory behaviour and capacity to inhabit challenging environments from Mediterranean coastal areas to arid mountain ranges further attest to their stamina.

Bonelli's Eagles are versatile predators, primarily hunting medium-sized birds and mammals. Their diet includes partridges, pigeons, rabbits, and hares. They also opportunistically take reptiles and occasionally fish.

These eagles employ a combination of soaring searches and surprise attacks from perches to capture prey.

Bonelli's Eagles are known for their spectacular aerial displays during courtship, performing steep dives and loop-the-loops. They are territorial birds, often seen soaring high over their domain with slow, powerful wingbeats.

These eagles hunt cooperatively in pairs, demonstrating remarkable coordination when pursuing agile prey.

Bonelli's Eagles are generally quiet outside the breeding season. During courtship and territorial displays, they emit a series of sharp, barking 'klu-klu-klu' or 'klee-klee-klee' calls. These vocalisations are often accompanied by impressive aerial manoeuvres, adding to their dramatic presence.

Bonelli's Eagles form monogamous pairs, often mating for life. The breeding season typically begins in January or February, with elaborate aerial displays marking courtship.

Nests are large stick structures, usually built on cliff ledges or occasionally in large trees. The female lays 1-3 eggs, typically 2, which are white with reddish-brown spots.

Incubation lasts about 39 days, and it is shared by both parents but primarily done by the female. Chicks fledge after 60-65 days but remain dependent on their parents for several more months.

The Bonelli's Eagle typically lives for 15 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 20 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While listed as Least Concern globally, Bonelli's Eagle faces regional threats. Habitat loss, electrocution from power lines, and illegal shooting are primary concerns.

Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection, nest site management, and reducing human-wildlife conflicts.

Look for them soaring over mountainous or hilly terrain
Listen for their distinctive 'klu-klu-klu' call during breeding season
Observe cliff faces or large trees for potential nesting sites
Visit Mediterranean coastal areas or inland mountain ranges for better chances of sighting

Adult Bonelli's Eagles have few natural predators due to their size and aerial prowess. However, eggs and chicks may fall prey to corvids, other raptors, or climbing mammals.

Bonelli's Eagles can fly at speeds of up to 80 km/h when diving for prey.
They have been known to use the same nesting site for over 20 years.
These eagles play a crucial role in controlling populations of rabbits and partridges in their ecosystems.

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Bird Attributes Explained

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Understanding the Ratings:

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Aggressiveness

Endurance

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Vocalisation

Nesting & Breeding

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Conservation and Status

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