Booted Eagle
Hieraaetus pennatus
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Booted Eagle exhibits two distinct colour morphs: pale and dark. The pale morph displays white underparts with dark flight feathers, while the dark morph is uniformly brown. Both forms share a distinctive white 'landing lights' patch on the upper wing coverts.
Females are noticeably larger than males, but plumage is similar. Juveniles resemble adults but may show more rufous tones on the underparts and a less defined wing pattern.
Size
Length
42cm to 51cm
Wingspan
110cm to 132cm
Weight
510g to 1.34kg
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown White
Secondary Colour
Black Buff
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Yellow
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Booted Eagles inhabit a wide range of habitats, from open woodlands and forest edges to mountainous areas and semi-arid landscapes. They are found across southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, with some populations extending into the Indian subcontinent.
During the breeding season, they prefer temperate and Mediterranean climates. Wintering grounds include sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia, highlighting their long-distance migratory nature.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 3,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Mediterranean, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Booted 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