The Booted
Eagle - Hieraaetus pennatus - is a small eagle but a medium bird of
prey. South African Booted Eagles avoid woodland and hunt mostly over low scrub
or agricultural crops such as wheat or even vineyards.
Migration
South Africa has two different populations, each with
a different migratory pattern. The one breeds in Eurasia then heads south to
southern Africa, excluding the Western Cape
and Namibia,
where it stays from November-February. The other population breeds in the
Western and Eastern Cape, arriving from
July-August and staying until March, it spends the rest of its time in its
non-breeding grounds in Namibia
and southern Angola.
Breeding occurs throughout the Western Cape;
the south-western corner of the Northern Cape
and the western parts of the Eastern
Cape. There is also a small breeding population in Namibia. A
small percentage overwinter.
Description
The Booted is a
small eagle, comparable to the Steppe Buzzard in size though more eagle-like in
shape. There are two relatively distinct colour morphs. Pale birds are mainly
light grey or buffy with a darker head and flight feathers. The other form has brown
plumage with dark grey flight feathers.
Call
The call is a
shrill kli-kli-kli.
Food
Booted Eagles do
most hunting on the wing, stooping from a position high above the ground, to
surprise and strike its prey from above. They have a broad diet, from insects
up to medium sized birds, small mammals and reptiles.
Breeding
They breed in
southern and eastern Europe eastwards over northern Iraq,
Iran and east to the
Himalaya, north India, north
to Mongolia and Russia
(Transbaikalia). A separate breeding population also exists in South Africa. They
require cliffs or trees for breeding, especially cliffs from which small trees
or bushes grow. The Egg-laying season is from August-January. This eagle lays 1 to 2 eggs and incubation between
36 to 40 days. The young stay in the nest for another 50 to 55 days.
The fledging period is short, about 2 weeks.
Conservation Status – Least concern
This species has
an extremely large range and is not threatened, although in some localities its
population is decreasing, due to habitat disturbance and poisoning.
Birdwatching
Ask Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures to
create a custom tour for you to see these striking birds or join one of the following Aves Birding
Tours/Safaris/Adventures: -
Aves Arid Birding
Tour/Safari/Adventure.
Aves Eastern Cape Birding
Tour / Safari /Adventure.
Aves Western Cape Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves West Coast
Birding Tour / Safari /Adventure.