Greater Spotted Eagle

Aquila clanga (Pallas, 1811)

		subadult fulvescens morph juvenile
2016-05-04 Almaty region 2012-05-12 North Kazakhstan area2014-10-09 South Kazakhstan, Azatlyk village.	© Oleg Belyalov © Ivan Zuban© Yevgeny Belousov

Distribution

Breeds in middle reaches of Ural valley, in Ust-Kamenogorsk area and on Syrdarya valley (Chiili – Kzyl-Orda). There are indications of sporadic nesting in Aman-Karagay pine forest and Naurzum pine forest; the fledgling was caught in foothills of Narymskiy ridge. Also found in Western Ustyurt. In summer observed on Mugodzhary ridge. On migration and dispersal occurs almost everywhere, including Southern Altai. Winters in small numbers, recorded in December – February.

Biology

Rare breeding migrant. Inhabits the flood plain forests, the deciduous or coniferous small forests or groves near the lakes in the steppe zone. In southern areas appears from mid-February to early May, but mostly in March. In northern areas first birds recorded in April. Nest is built in tree at 3-25 m above ground; nest is built from the dry twigs, and is lined with the old grass, bark pieces, rags and often with green twigs. Nests are used for some years, but nests of other raptors also may be used for breeding. Laying of 1-2 eggs is in late April – May, chicks hatch in June. Both parents feed nestlings which fledge in end of July – August. Broods stay together until mid-September. The autumn migration begins in the end of August.

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург. Изд-во Уральского университета, 2000.