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The little eagle is a very small eagle endemic to Australia.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The little eagle is a medium-sized bird of prey, measuring 45–55 cm (17–21.5 inches) in length and weighing 815 g (1.8 lb), roughly the size of a peregrine falcon. It has fully feathered legs and a square-cut, barred tail. Wingspan is about 120 cm with males having longer wings in proportion to their bodies, but being nearly half the weight of females. It is a powerful bird and during flight has strong wing beats, glides on flat wings and soars on slightly raised or flat wings. The little eagle occurs in light and dark colour forms and generally these colours change with age.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Indonesia.
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Wahlberg's EagleHieraaetus wahlbergiWahlberg's eagle is a medium-sized raptor, and the sexes are similar.
Ayres's Hawk-EagleHieraaetus ayresiiThe adult male has blackish upper parts that are mottled with white and usually has a white forehead and supercilium.
Pygmy EagleHieraaetus weiskeiThe pygmy eagle shares many characteristics with its counterpart the little eagle.
Learn the Little Eagle for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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