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Birds

Birds

Common name Bonelli's eagle
Scientific name Aquila fasciata
Type Cliff-nesting birds
Status Resident

Large raptor (approx 70 cm or 2.5 ft) with a slender poise and narrow wings (wingspan approx 170 cm or 5.5 ft). The upperparts are dark brown with light spots, while in the areas of the breast it is pale. In flight the contrast between the back of the wings, of a dark colour, and the breast and front area of the wings, of a light colour, is clearly distinguishable. Clear tail with dark terminal strip.

Habitats

Rocky environments

Where it lives

A rupicolous species that lives mainly in warm mountain ranges, cliffs and abrupt reliefs with gorges, walls and gullies. Its hunting territory includes other habitats around the central mountainous area in which it usually has the nest.

How it lives

Species resident all year round in Malaga. It makes a single annual laying of two eggs. The nest is located in inaccessible rocky areas. The diet is mainly based on partridges, pigeons and rabbits, especially in the breeding season. The Bonelli's Eagle compensates the absence of one of these prey with another, especially with pigeons, which are its most abundant prey. It also captures other medium-sized birds and small mammals. This eagle is a very agile raptor, specialist in flight hunting.

Where it can be seen in Malaga

Malaga is one of the Andalusian provinces with more pairs of Bonelli's eagle and probably where the species reaches the highest density along the entire Mediterranean. In the Great Path it can be observed in stages 5 to 14, 19 to 28 and 31 to 34.

Curious facts

Although it is a rupicolous species in the province, at least two pairs of Bonelli's eagles have been reported to breed in forest environments, even nesting in trees. It is aggressive when it shares the territory with other raptors.

Routes where it can be observed
Present
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Wintering Summer Resident Migration
Audios