Cassin's Hawk-Eagle
Aquila africana
The Cassin's Hawk-Eagle (Aquila africana) is a rare kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found in 18 countries, weighing about 1.0 kg. Cassin's hawk-eagle or Cassin's eagle, is a relatively small eagle in the family Accipitridae.
About the Cassin's Hawk-Eagle
Cassin's hawk-eagle or Cassin's eagle, is a relatively small eagle in the family Accipitridae. Its feathered legs mark it as member of the Aquilinae or booted eagle subfamily. A forest-dependent species, it occurs in primary rainforests across western, central and (marginally) eastern Africa where it preys on birds and tree squirrels. It was named after John Cassin who first described it in 1865. Due to widespread habitat destruction, its populations are steadily declining but have not yet warranted upgrading its status from Least Concern.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The adult Cassin's hawk-eagle appears as a small eagle, with short rounded wings and a long rounded tail. It has dark brown upperparts, with white spots and a brown tail with three black bars and a broad black subterminal band. The tarsi are white with black streaks, and the underparts are all white or white with black blotches along the sides of the lower breast. It has yellowish-brown eyes, pale yellow ceres and feet and a black bill. Immature and juvenile plumage is strikingly different from that of adults.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Burundi, Central African Republic, Togo.
When to see it
The Cassin's Hawk-Eagle can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Cassin's Hawk-Eagle?
- The adult Cassin's hawk-eagle appears as a small eagle, with short rounded wings and a long rounded tail. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Cassin's Hawk-Eagle?
- The Cassin's Hawk-Eagle is a large sized bird weighing about 1.0 kg.
- Where can you see a Cassin's Hawk-Eagle?
- The Cassin's Hawk-Eagle occurs in 18 countries, including Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Cameroon and Gabon.
- What birds look similar to a Cassin's Hawk-Eagle?
- The Cassin's Hawk-Eagle is most easily confused with the Gurney's Eagle, the African Hawk-Eagle and the Spanish Imperial Eagle.
- Is the Cassin's Hawk-Eagle endangered?
- The Cassin's Hawk-Eagle is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Cassin's Hawk-Eagle for real
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