Indian spotted eagle

   ›      ›   Indian spotted eagle - Clanga hastata.

The Indian spotted eagle (Clanga hastata) belongs to the family Accipitridae. These Indian spotted eagle species are distributed in India, Pakistan, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Taxonomy of Indian spotted eagle

  • Scientific Name: Clanga hastata
  • Common Name: Indian spotted eagle
  • French: Aigle lancéolé; German: Gangesadler; Spanish: Águila india;
  • Other names: Morphnus hastatus Lesson, 1831; Aquila hastata;
  • Family: Accipitridae › Accipitriformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
  • Species author: (Lesson, 1834)
Clanga hastata was earlier included in genus Morphnus and later in genus Aquila. Clanga hastata was earlier known as Aquila hastata.

Image of spotted eagle - Clanga hastata
Image of spotted eagle - Clanga hastata

Description

These spotted eagle species are medium sized birds of prey, measuring 50 to 60 cm in length. The wingspan is 150 cm. These bird species have a broad head and wide mouth. The plumage is pale brown and has pale spots. The iris of these birds is darker than the plumage. The wings are broad and short and the tail is short. Their call is a high-pitched, cackling laughing sound.

Habitat

These eagle species inhabit subtropical and tropical dry forests, fringe of forests, plantations and agricultural fields dotted with trees.

Feeding habits

These eagle species preys on small birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs.

Breeding

The spotted eagle breeding season is from March to August. These birds nest on trees. The nest is built with sticks and lined with leaves.

Distribution

These species of birds are distributed in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Cambodia.

Movement Patterns

These eagle species are sedentary and the juveniles spread within the range.

Status and conservation

These spotted eagle species have a small and declining population of less than 10,000 birds and are considered vulnerable. Habit loss is the major threat to the survival of these species.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these eagle species and has listed them as "Vulnerable".

Biological classification of Clanga hastata
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Accipitriformes
Family:Accipitridae
Subfamily:-
Genus:Clanga
Species:C. hastata
Binomial name:Clanga hastata
Distribution:India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Cambodia;
Feeding habits:small birds, small mammals, lizards, frogs;
IUCN status listing:
Vulnerable

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