Eagles are one of the most popular birds in the world. They are known for their strength, power, and beauty.
There are many different types of eagles in India, and each has its own unique features.
In India, there are types of eagles found in different parts of the country. Each of these types of eagles in India has its special features that make it distinct from the others.
In our blog post, we will take a closer look at each of these types of eagles in India and learn more about their unique features.
1. The Crested Serpent Eagle
The crested serpent eagle is first on our list of types of eagles in India and one of India’s most widely distributed eagle species. It is commonly found in the moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests of the Himalayas, the Eastern Ghats, the Western Ghats, and the hills of the Nilgiris.
These types of eagles in India can be seen in the open country and around hills. The crested serpent eagle is a large bird with a length of around 57 cm and a wingspan of about 1.4 m.
The crested serpent eagle is incredibly powerful and has the strength to take down its prey within moments. Its feathers are bluish-black, and its tail is brownish. The eagle has long legs and a long, heavily-hooked yellowish bill.
The Crested Serpent Eagle feeds on small mammals and reptiles, such as snakes and lizards, which it usually catches from trees. It has a loud call, usually a deep, resonant “pok-pok” sound. The adult bird has a pale grayish brown upper part and a white underside. Its wings are broad, and its tail is rounded.
The Crested Serpent Eagle is an endangered species due to habitat loss and hunting. Its conservation status is vulnerable due to its small population size and the high mortality rate of its chicks. Its main threats are habitat loss due to deforestation, pesticides in agricultural areas, and illegal hunting.
In some areas of India, the species is protected by local laws. Its common name is derived from its habit of preying on snakes.
However, it also feeds on other small animals. It is partially protected under the law of many countries; however, illegal poaching continues to be an issue.
It usually makes its home in tropical forests and prefers to stay in the canopy, where it has excellent camouflage. It is an agile flier and will soar for extended periods. Overall, the Crested Serpent Eagle is an impressive bird of prey and an important part of the ecosystem.
2. The Black Eagle
The black eagle is an impressive bird of prey that can be spotted in the Himalayas, the Eastern Ghats, and the Western Ghats. The black eagle is one of India’s largest types of eagles, reaching an impressive length of around 75 cm and a wingspan of up to 2 m.
The adult black eagle has a distinctive black coat with a pale yellow head and neck. The eagle sports a yellowish-white bill and a reddish-brown colored eye. The tail of the black eagle is black with a white tip, and its legs and feet are also black.
This eagle species is considered very specialized because of its ability to locate food sources from far away and capture them quickly by swooping down. It feeds on large animals such as wild sheep, gazelles, and porcupines.
And the House of Hohenzollern has long been seen as a symbol of German nationhood. It dates back to the 15th century and was most prominently used during the reign of Otto von Bismarck and Kaiser Wilhelm I. It is still seen as a symbol of German national pride and unity.
The design of the Hohenzollerns black eagle is derived from the family’s coat of arms, which consists of an upright black eagle, with a red beak and talons and a red tongue, with a gold crown above the head and a gold shield on its breast. The shield bears three additional gold eagles and two silver scepters crossed behind it.
The underlying meaning of the black eagle symbol is strength, justice, wisdom, courage, and nobility. It is seen as a representation of the courage and strength of the German people, as well as a reminder of their dedication to justice and wisdom.
3. The Bonelli’s Eagle
The Bonelli’s Eagle is a species of eagle native to parts of Eurasia and North Africa. It is closely related to other species of large, mainly terrestrial eagles, such as the Golden and Imperial Eagles.
The Bonelli’s Eagle is a medium-sized eagle with a length of 50–58 cm, a body wingspan of up to 155 cm, and a weight of around 1 — 2.5 kg. It has a powerful beak, long, narrow wings, a distinctive white tail band, and a gray-brown plumage with darker patches on the wings, chest, and head.
The Bonelli’s Eagle is a powerful predator and scavenger, mainly preying on small mammals and birds, but it also takes additional carrion. It is also known to take reptiles, amphibians, insects, and other invertebrates.
The types of eagles in India are found in many mountainous or hilly regions within its range and build large stick nests in prominent tall trees. It has traditionally been considered a threatened species due to hunting and habitat loss, but it is still relatively widespread, and population levels are increasing in
The Bonelli’s eagle, or the Indian sparrow-hawk, is a medium-sized bird of prey that is found throughout India. These birds are distinguished by their slate gray color and prominent black-streaked necks. The Bonelli’s eagle is slightly smaller than the black eagle, with a length of around 56-64 cm and a wingspan of about 1.2 m.
The Bonelli’s eagle is known for its impressive aerial prowess and its ability to soar for large distances in search of its prey. The diet of this species consists mainly of small mammals like hares, squirrels, and mongoose. It can also hunt birds in flight and make catches from the ground.
This eagle resides in open countries such as grasslands and cultivated fields, where it can perch on dead trees or telegraph poles. It nests mostly on the tops of tall trees but sometimes on cliffs or in low shrubs. Its plumage is dark brown and is distinctive for its white patches and white tail band.
It inhabits wooded areas and is found across southern Europe and parts of Asia. The species feeds mainly on birds, small mammals, and sometimes lizards and insects. It is considered a vulnerable species due to habitat loss, human disturbance, and hunting.
4. The Booted Eagle
The Booted Eagle (Aquila pennata) is a medium-sized bird of prey of the family Accipitridae, mainly found in southern Europe. It is also called the lesser spotted eagle in some areas.
The booted eagle is considered the most common eagle in Europe. It is a very beautiful eagle, with brown upper parts and grayish-white under parts. It has distinctive white patches on its tail and wings.
The booted eagle usually feeds on small animals such as mice, amphibians, and lizards. It is known also to hunt venomous snakes. The adult booted eagle can grow up to 16- 19 inches in length, with a wingspan of about 4 feet. It has a brownish-gray head, and its breast is streaked with lighter markings.
The booted eagle has a wide distribution range that mainly covers the Mediterranean region, with some nests also found in northern Africa, southern France, and the Iberian peninsula. It usually breeds in open country, farmland, and woodlands, and fields.
The booted eagle’s plumage is usually slate-gray with a paler head, white on the throat and chest, and with reddish-brown bars on the underside of the wings and tail. The tail has four or five dark bars and a broad black tip.
Booted types of eagles in India possess broad, rounded wings and a short square-tipped tail. Adult males are between 46 and 54 cm long and weigh 600 to 1000 g. Femora are typically brownish-gray, turning more whitish in the outer feathers. The bill is dark above and yellowish to whitish below.
5. Andaman Serpent Eagle
The Andaman Serpent Eagle (Spilornis elgini) is a species of raptor found in the Andaman Islands of India and the southern part of Myanmar (Burma). It is a medium-sized raptor and is mainly gray-brown in color, with streaked and barred upper parts.
The Andaman Serpent Eagle has a yellowish beak and yellow eyes. It feeds on small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. The species is considered threatened due to habitat loss and has been listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List since 2000.
The Andaman serpent eagle is a distinctive species of eagle found only in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This species has a length of around 43 cm and a wingspan of about 1m. It has a short, rounded yellowish-white head and a black belly. The Andaman serpent eagle preys on small birds, rodents, and snakes.
It also scavenges for carrion and is not averse to raiding nests for eggs. The Andaman serpent eagle nests in large trees in the rainforests of the Andamans, often in gigantic trees up to 50 meters in height.
6. White-Tailed Eagles
The white-tailed eagle is a large species of eagle found in North America. They are distinguished by their white tails and black wings, which are in a characteristic V-shaped formation. They have powerful wings and sharp talons, which makes them effective hunters.
White-tailed types of eagles in India are found in much of North America, including Montana. They are most commonly found near water or in marshy habitats, where they can prey on fish and other small animals. In Montana, they are typically found in the western and northern parts of the state.
7. Imperial Eagles
The imperial eagle is a large species of eagle found in Europe and Asia. They are easily distinguished by their brownish-black bodies, yellow legs, and white head and tail. They have powerful wings and talons and can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour when flying.
Imperial types of eagles in India are found in many parts of Europe and Asia, but they are also occasionally spotted in Montana. They prefer to inhabit open fields and grasslands, where they can hunt for small mammals and birds. In Montana, they are typically found in the central and western parts of the state.
8. Steppe Eagles
The steppe eagle is a medium-sized species of eagle found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. They are distinguished by their dark brown plumage, yellow legs, and black tail. They have strong wings and talons, and they are known to take small mammals and birds as prey.
Steppe types of eagles in India are found in much of Europe, Asia, and Africa, but they have also been spotted in Montana. They prefer to inhabit open habitats, such as grasslands and meadows. In Montana, they are typically found in the western and northern parts of the state.
9. Spine-Tailed Eagles
The spine-tailed eagle is a small species of eagle found in Europe and Asia. They are easily distinguished by their long, slender tails, which are tipped with a black spike. They have powerful wings and talons and are known to take small birds and mammals as prey.
Spine-tailed types of eagles in India are found in much of Europe and Asia, but they have also been spotted in Montana. They prefer to inhabit open grasslands and meadows, where they can hunt small mammals and birds. In Montana, they are typically found in the western and northern parts of the state.
10. Sea Eagles
Sea eagles are a group of large species of eagles found in various parts of the world. They are characterized by their large size and webbed feet, which help them to wade in the water. They are powerful hunters, and they typically take fish and other small animals as prey.
Sea types of eagles in India are found in many parts of the world, including North America. They can be found in Montana, particularly in coastal areas. They are typically found near water, where they can hunt for their preferred prey. In Montana, they are typically found in the western and northern parts of the state.
11. Fish Eagles
Fish eagles are a group of large species of eagles found in various parts of the world. They are easily distinguished by their large size, yellow legs, and beaks. They have strong wings and talons, and they are known to take fish and other small animals as prey.
Fish eagles are found in many parts of the world, including North America. They are occasionally spotted in Montana, particularly in coastal areas near large bodies of water. They prefer to hunt for their prey near water, and they are typically found in the western and northern parts of the state.
12. Tawny Eagles
The tawny eagle is a medium-sized species of eagle found in Africa, Europe, and Asia. They have a tawny-brown color, distinguishing them from other eagle species. They have strong wings and talons, and they are also known to take small mammals and birds as prey.
Tawny types of eagles in India are found in many parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia, but they have also been spotted in Montana. They prefer to inhabit open and semi-open habitats like grasslands and meadows. In Montana, they are typically found in the western and northern parts of the state.
13. Harpy’s Eagles
Lastly, the harpy’s eagle is a large species of eagle found in Central and South America. They are easily distinguished by their size and black feathers, which have white markings on their wings and tail. They have sharp talons and powerful wings, which makes them effective hunters.
Conclusion
India is home to various eagles, each with its special features. These fascinating types of eagles in India provide us with a unique and beautiful window into the diversity of Indian wildlife. By learning more about each of these types of eagles in India on our blog, you can gain a better understanding of India’s natural environment and the incredible variety of birds found there.
