Booted eagle 照片檔

The booted eagle, seen here in southern Spain, is a fairly small eagle, similar to the common buzzard in size though more eagle-like in shape. There are two relatively distinct plumage forms, a pale form with light grey patches and a darker head and flight feathers. The other form has mid-brown plumage with dark grey flight feathers.It breeds in southern Europe, North Africa and across Asia. It is a migratory bird, wintering in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.The booted eagle prefers wooded, often hilly countryside with some open areas. It hunts small mammals, reptiles and birds up to 5 times its own weight.