Greater Spotted Eagle
Aquila clanga
Also known as: Spotted Eagle
Habitat
Ground
Diet
VertFishScav
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
2.2 kg
About This Species
A large, dark eagle of wetlands, floodplains and adjacent forest across parts of Europe and Asia, usually seen soaring on broad wings held flat, or perched for long periods near water where it hunts amphibians, small mammals and waterbirds. It favours quiet, undisturbed wetland margins and large trees for nesting and roosting, and is most likely to be seen in winter in parts of its range where birds concentrate around productive wetlands. Patient scanning of open wetland and floodplain habitat from a distance offers the best chance of a sighting.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- As a globally Vulnerable species with a small and declining population, this eagle warrants particular caution: view only from a substantial distance using optics, never approach a nest, roost or perched bird on foot, and leave immediately if a bird shows signs of alertness or distress.
- It receives strict legal protection in most range states, including under the EU Birds Directive in Europe, though enforcement and specific provisions vary by country, so local protected-area rules should always be checked.
- Given the sensitivity of this species to disturbance at nest and roost sites, reporting sightings to local conservation bodies rather than publicising exact locations is the more responsible approach.
Seasonal Activity
235,817 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Family
- Accipitridae
Traits
- Diet
- VertFishScav
- Foraging
- Ground
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 2.2 kg
Photo
(c) Koshy Koshy, some rights reserved (CC BY)
CC-BY-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.