The dwarf eagle is a member of the hawk family. It is similar in appearance to buzzards. This bird of prey has inhabited all areas with a warm temperate climate.
Appearance
The dwarf eagle has small narrowed wings. In terms of its dimensions, the dwarf eagle can reach 53 centimeters in length with a wingspan ranging from 110 to 132 centimeters. The weight of the birds is in the region of 500 to 1300 grams. The difference between the sexes is in size. Females are much larger than males. Plumage color is the same in both sexes. The tail is colored with light feathers. The beak is rather short and curved. The area of the tarsus is feathered up to the claws.
By color, two types of birds are distinguished: dark and light. Most often you can find a light dwarf eagle. Their feather color is distinguished by brown plumage on the upper part of the body and a grayish underside. Dark representatives have a brown-brown color both above and below the body.
Habitat
The dwarf eagle has spread in the north-west and south of Africa. The largest population of these birds is located on the Eurasian continent with a moderately warm climate. In Russia, it can be found in Mongolia and Siberia. Small numbers settled in India, northern Pakistan, Africa and Asia.
Forests and steppes are preferred as habitats. Often found in deciduous and mixed forests, near open areas. They can inhabit flat and hilly terrain. Able to rise to a height of 3000 meters above the sea.
During the nesting period, they settle in dry oak forests located on hilly slopes.
Nutrition
Dwarf eagles are birds of prey. They feed on any animal that is no larger than their own. Larks, corncrakes, sparrows or starlings are eaten from birds. They can feed on lizards and snakes. However, snakes are dangerous for them, as they can poison. The most common prey are mice, gophers, rats and hares. Sometimes they feed on insects that are caught on the fly. In winter, termites make up 20 percent of their diet. Potential prey is tracked at altitude.
The dwarf eagle hunts gophers
Breeding period
Birds arrange nests in tall oak trees at a fork in the trunks. Various branches and sticks are used as improvised materials for construction. The foot is covered with herbs and leaves. Both parents are involved in the process of arranging the nest. They can rarely inhabit ready-made nests of other birds. Formed couples last for the rest of their lives. Both the male and the female are engaged in incubation and feeding in pairs. As a rule, the incubation period lasts about 40 days, after which an average of 2 chicks are born.
Dwarf eagle chicks
During the first week, chicks stay in the nest with their mother, who keeps them warm. Only newly born chicks have yellowish down and pale yellow wax. At this time, only the male is engaged in the search for food. At the age of two months, chicks learn to stand on wings. After three months of life, young dwarf eagles organize small flocks and go south.
The average life span of these birds is around 25 years. In captivity, they can live up to 33 years.
