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Lesser Spotted Eagle belongs to the family of hawks. Representatives of this species live in the territory of Africa and Eurasia, only in certain areas.
Taxonomy
Previously, scientists attributed the small and large spotted eagles to one species of bird. This is due to the fact that apparently they are almost the same. Only a specialist can distinguish them. But in fact, these are two different types that have been established for a long time. Each of them - a representative of the genus of eagles. But the great spotted eagle is larger in size.
They nest in different places. In addition, each species has its own characteristics of behavior. Scientists have found that they also differ in DNA. But these eagles originated from common ancestors, who are supposed to have lived on the territory of modern Afghanistan. About 2 million years ago, these birds were divided into two species. The western branch has formed a small spotted eagle, the eastern branch has a large spotted eagle.Today, these species live in completely different localities. To meet those and others is possible only in the northern part of Hindustan, as well as in some parts of Eastern Europe. Related species include the steppe eagle, as well as the Spanish burial ground.
Description
The weight of the female is approximately 3 kg. While males weigh about 2 kg. Representatives of the species have a small head and a rather short round tail. Like other hawks, their beak is yellow, and at the tip is black, powerful and curved.
The plumage of the small spotted eagle is light-brown. Lighter compared with the plumage of the great spotted eagle. Near the base of the tail is a white stripe. But not all individuals have it. Almost all the plumage of a bird is of the same color, only on the edge of the wings and tail the feathers are black. Young spotted eagles have a bright spot on their nape.
The lesser spotted eagle flies smoothly, alternately flapping its wings and planning in the air. They fly over open territories to find food for themselves. If obstacles appear in the path of the bird, the spotted spot very quickly overcomes them.
Habitats
Representatives of this species live in the south of Asia, in Asia Minor, and also in Europe (mainly in the east and in the center). In winter, the spotted eagles fly to the territory of Africa.
Representatives of the species can be found in Russia. They are not far from St. Petersburg and Novgorod. Few small spotted eagles live in the Moscow and Tula regions. They are found on the territory of Ukraine. Most of them in the west of the country. In addition, they can be found in countries such as Romania, Turkey and India.
Spotted eagles prefers to settle in the forest near open areas. It can also live in the forest-steppe next to the fields that are practically not used by man for agricultural purposes. A lot of these birds in the mountains. They are in the Balkans and the Carpathians at an altitude of approximately 1800 m.
In almost all the territories where the spotted eagle lives, it belongs to a rare species that is almost endangered.The main reason for which a small spotted eagle is threatened with extinction is massive deforestation, with which the mass of nesting places of this bird disappears. In particular, in the Krasnodar Territory this bird is already considered to be very rare. On the territory of Ukraine in some habitats, it is protected. This is the Carpathian, Polessky and other parks.
Nutrition
Lesser Spotted Eagle refers to birds of prey. He hunts more often on land inhabitants. Its food is insects, chicks and some small birds. But most often he hunts snakes and small rodents.
The spotted spotted eagle can also hunt young mammals. An adult hare is too fast for them, but a hare can become a victim of the spotted eagle. These birds lead an active life during the day. They hunt most often not from the air, but moving along the ground, or sitting on the branches in order to get a good look at the prey. Every day a small spotted eagle eats about 500 grams of food.
Nesting
These birds arrive at their nesting sites in April. They belong to the monogamous, choose a pair only once in a lifetime. The couple circling in the air, performing the marriage ritual.The male feeds the female. It also happens that one bird from a pair sits in a nest, talking in a drawn-out voice, and the second one can circle in flight at an altitude of about 1 km.
Small spotted eagles nest on large branches. They choose places so that later they can easily fly up to their nest. Their nests are quite large. In diameter, they can reach from half a meter to a meter. A nest of twigs and twigs is being built. Inside, the bird lines its home with tree bark, dry grass and leaves. Having equipped it, they will use the nest for several years in a row. If the place is chosen successfully, then the couple will fly here for many years.
It is interesting! In one clutch there are usually two eggs. It often happens that having hatched, one chick kills the second.
A couple incubates their laying in turn for one and a half months. White spotted eagles are white with brown splashes. After the chicks hatched, the parents carefully feed them for about two months. After that, the kids fly away from the nest.
Representatives of the species reach sexual maturity only after 3-4 years. The average life span of a small spotted eagle is 15–20 years.
Video: Little Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina)
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