© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Osprey
Latin: Pandion haliaetus
Other: Aguila pescadora, halieto (Es), Aguia-pesqueira (Pt), Balbuzard pêcheur (Fr), Falco pescatore (It), Fischadler (De)
Family: Pandionidae • Osprey
Range: Worldwide, especially tropics, coastlines and Canada, Russia, China.
Similar:

Ospreys have long thin wings and a distinctive zorro eye mask. They are white underneath with brown marks on wings, upperside is brown. Ospreys eat fish almost exclusively.

I saw a couple of Ospreys in the Valle de Anton area. One in the town itself and one higher in the mountains, both near water.

Seen again in Napo, Ecuador. Migrating on the Cote d’Azur, France in September.

I saw Ospreys frequently in the south of Gambia, March, and on the coastal area. They fly out to sea, catch a large fish, then fly back inland - several kilometres sometimes - to a perch where they eat their meal.

The bird pictured above was a ringed bird (tag NW), seen about an hour south of Janjanbureh on the River Gambia.

Below, Pied Crow harasses Osprey for fish, Tujereng Woods, Gambia, March 2013


Below, Osprey takes a bath in a quarry, Gambia, March 2013


Below, Osprey in flight, Panama, April
More photos...

© Faye L. - monacoeye • All rights reserved, Tanzania, June

Bird name: African Fish Eagle
Latin: Haliaeetus vocifer
Other: African Sea Eagle. Pygargue vocifer (Fr)
Family: Accipitridae • Birds of Prey, Eagles, Sea Eagles
Range: Sub-saharan Africa
Similar:

The African Fish Eagle is found across sub-Saharan, near lakes and rivers. It is a large powerful bird with a two-metre wingspan.

Thanks to Faye L and André S for these photos from Tanzania.

Also seen in Gambia near Janjanbureh and on Gambia River - see comments for pic.

© André S. - African Fish Eagle, perched on tree in lake, Tanzania, Oct 2009
More photos...

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • All rights reserved • Kinshasa

Bird name: Palm Nut Vulture
Latin: Gypohierax angolensis
Other: Vulturine Fish Eagle. Palmiste africain (Fr)
Family: Accipitridae • Old World Vultures, Birds of Prey
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar: African Fish Eagle

The Palm-nut Vulture feeds mainly on the fruit of the oil-palm, supplemented with crabs, molluscs, locusts, and fish. It is found in sub-Saharan and nests in palm trees (photos below).

The Palm-nut Vulture is not shy, and can even be seen in hotel gardens, as above. Thanks to Alexia for the first photo from Kinshasa. Juveniles have yellow facial skin. Adult Palm-nut Vultures have red facial skin.

We saw them quite regularly in the Gambia.


Below, close-up of juvenile Palm-nut Vulture, Kinshasa.


Below, Palm-nut Vulture in flight, Gambia, Feb 2013.
More photos...

© André S. - monacoeye • All rights reserved, Amboseli, Oct 2009

Bird name: White Backed Vulture
Latin: Gyps africanus
Other: African White-backed Vulture
Family: Accipitridae • Old World Vultures, Birds of Prey
Range: Africa
Similar: Rüppel’s Vulture
IUCN status: Near-threatened

The adult White-backed Vulture has a white collar, white downy feathers on neck, and dark bill, the latter differentiating it from the Rüppel’s Vulture. I understand the darker birds are juvenile White-backed Vultures.

Seen now and then up river in the Gambia.

Below, record shot of White-backed Vulture in flight, Gambia, Feb 2013
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Hooded Vulture
Latin: Necrosyrtes monachus
Other: Vautour charognard (Fr), abutre-de-capuz (Pt)
Family: Accipitridae • Birds of Prey, Old World Vultures
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar:

The Hooded Vulture is the default vulture in the Gambia, one of the first birds you see in Gambia, and found in nearly all locations.

The Hooded Vulture has a thin face and bill, the adult has a red face. Plumage is mostly brown. When seen from below the rear section of the wings are slightly lighter (see further below).

Below, Hooded Vultures on beach, Gambia, Feb 2013


Below, Hooded Vultures feeding on carcass, Gambia, Feb 2013


Below, Hooded Vulture in flight, Gambia, Feb 2013
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved. Gambia, Mar 2013.

Bird name: African Harrier Hawk
Latin: Polyboroides typus
Other: Gymnogene. Gymnogène d'Afrique (Fr)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Harriers, Birds of Prey
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar:

The African Harrier-Hawk - often called Gymnogene - is an interesting raptor with long wings and tail and crest. The adult is predominantly grey, with black wing tips and striped belly, and the juvenile is brown. Seen on several occasions in Gambia during my visit.



Below juvenile African Harrier-Hawk in flight. Kartong, Mar 2013.


Below adult African Harrier-Hawk at water pool. Kartong, Mar 2013.
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Black Winged Kite
Latin: Elanus caeruleus
Other: Black-shouldered Kite (Helm). Élanion blac (Fr), peneireiro-cinzento (Pt), Elanio azul (Es), grijze wouw (Nl)
Family: Accipitridae • Birds of Prey, Kites
Range: Eurasia, Africa
Similar: African Swallow-tailed Kite

We had several sightings of the Black-winged Kite (or Black-shouldered Kite in Helm) in Gambia, generally perched at some distance.

The Black-winged Kite is a light grey kite with a prominent dark shoulder and white underside.

Below, Black-winged Kite, Gambia, Feb 2013
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Yellow Billed Kite
Latin: Milvus aegyptius
Other:
Family: Accipitridae • Birds of Prey, Kites
Range: Africa
Similar: Black Kite

The Yellow-billed Kite was thought conspecific with the Black Kite, but is increasingly regarded as a separate allopatric (divided geographically) species, confined to Africa.

The Yellow-billed Kite has a yellow bill, whereas the Black Kite has a black-tipped bill.

Below, Yellow-billed Kite collecting nesting material? Gambia, Feb 2013
More photos...

© monacoeye • Camargue, France • All rights reserved

Bird name: Western Marsh Harrier
Latin: Circus aeruginosus
Other: Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Marsh Harrier (Helm) • Busard des Roseaux (Fr) • Rohrweihe (De) • Aguilucho lagunero (Es) • Falco di palude (It) • Bruine kiekendief (Nl) • Brun kärrhök (Sv) • Tartaranhão-ruivo-dos-pauis (Pt)
Family: Accipitridae • Birds of Prey, Harriers
Range: Eurasia, India, Central Africa
Similar: Male Hen Harrier

Marsh Harriers can be seen in the Camargue all year round and many fly east-west past Monaco on autumn migration in September.

The adult male Marsh Harrier is fairly easy to recognise. From below it has black wing tips, white wings, brown body and head.

Females are quite variable and thus more difficult to recognise - they typically have brown body and coverts and darkish wing tips. Dark mark through eye. Can have white cap and neck, white shoulder.

Juveniles are very dark with whitish head.

Below, Marsh Harrier, Camargue, January 2012.


Below, Western Marsh Harrier, Gambia, Feb 2013
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Brown Snake Eagle
Latin: Circaetus cinereus
Other: Circaète brun (Fr), Águia-cobreira-castanha (Pt)
Family: Accipitridae • Birds of Prey, Snake Eagles
Range: Widespread sub-Saharan Africa
Similar: Western Banded Snake Eagle fem, Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle juv

We saw the Brown Snake Eagle twice, both times up river, once on MacCarthy Island, the other time drinking at a pool.

Like other Snake Eagles, the Brown Snake Eagle has a slightly owl-like appearance, when face-on, because of its large eyes and head. It’s all brown when perched, with several brown and light bands on underside of tail. In flight underside of primaries plain white. Bare tarsi, like all snake eagles. A large bird with a 2 metre wingspan.

Below, juvenile? Brown Snake Eagle drinking at lake, Gambia, March 2013


Brown Snake Eagle mobbed by Spur-Winged Lapwing, Gambia, Feb 2013
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Western Banded Snake Eagle
Latin: Circaetus cinerascens
Other: Circaète cendré (Fr)
Family: Accipitridae • Birds of Prey, Snake Eagles
Range: Gambia to Ethiopia, Angola, Zimbabwe
Similar: Brown Snake Eagle fem, Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle juv

This was our only view of Western Banded Snake Eagle; a female, on MacCarthy Island, not far from the river.

The Western Banded Snake Eagle adult female is all brown and the male is grey-brown. The single wide dark band on the tail differentiates it from the other Gambian snake eagles. In flight, under wing is striped, unlike Brown Snake Eagle. Also smaller wingspan than Brown SE.More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Beaudouin's Snake Eagle
Latin: Circaetus beaudouini
Other: Circaète de Beaudouin (Fr)
Family: Accipitridae • Birds of Prey, Snake Eagles
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar: Short-toed Eagle

Just a record of this Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle hovering, up river in the Gambia.

Very similar to the Short-toed Eagle. All white underwing coverts and fine barring on chest.

We saw both Short-toed and Beaudouin’s, often in the same locations, on MacCarthy Island in February.More photos...

© monacoeye.com, all rights reserved

Bird name: Short Toed Snake Eagle
Latin: Circaetus gallicus
Other: Short Toed Eagle (Collins) • Circaète Jean le Blanc • Schlangenadler • Alangenarend • Biancone • Aguila Culebrera
Family: Accipitridae • Birds of Prey, Snake Eagles
Range: South and East Europe, Middle East, India etc, Africa
Similar: Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle

The Short Toed Snake Eagle preys mainly on snakes, but also small reptiles like lizards. It is predominantly light-coloured from below, with a dark, almost owl-like, head. They can be very pale, even on the head, with few, if any, of the characteristic brown dotted lines below. They are easy to recognise in France as there are no other raptors that are so light underneath

The Short Toed-Eagle is one of the more visible large raptors in the coastal mountains of the Alpes Maritimes in France, especially in May and September. If you go up to a high point near here, it is not uncommon for a Short-toed Eagle to hover past you on the thermals.

They are found mostly in southern and eastern Europe, into the Middle East and some parts of Asia, and migrate to Africa in the northern winter.

Also seen on at least one occasion, probably several times, on MacCarthy Island, Gambia, but no decent photos.

Below, Short-toed Eagle in flight, France, August.


Short-toed Eagle from above !

More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Shikra
Latin: Accipiter badius
Other: Épervier shikra (Fr)
Family: Accipitridae • Birds of Prey
Range: Widespread Africa, Asia
Similar:

Great views of this Shikra at Bijolo Forest Park. The adult is a small grey accipiter with downy pink, very faintly barred chest and lower underside in Gambia. Large bright orange irises. We also saw Shikras flying at various locations but no pics…

Shikra, Bijolo Forest Park, Gambia, Feb 2013
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Lizard Buzzard
Latin: Kaupifalco monogrammicus
Other: Autour unibande (Fr)
Family: Accipitridae • Birds of Prey
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar:

The Lizard Buzzard has a grey upperside and chest, neat barred belly, white throat with black line.

We saw them at least twice in Gambia, above in Janjanbureh and below in Brufut Woods, offering good views. Nice looking bird.

Lizard Buzzard, Janjanbureh, Gambia, Feb 2013

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Mar 2013

Bird name: Dark Chanting Goshawk
Latin: Melierax metabates
Other: Autour sombre (Fr)
Family: Accipitridae • Birds of Prey, Chanting Goshawks
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa (not Congo basin), Morocco, Yemen etc
Similar: Gabar Goshawk

The Dark Chanting Goshawk was also seen on several occasions. In flight it can be identified by white under wings with black tips. Quite a large grey bird with orange bill base and long orange legs. Rounded tail tip. Bigger than Gabar Goshawk.

Dark Chanting Goshawk, Gambia, Mar 2013
More photos...

© Tom C - monacoeye, all rights reserved • Tanzania.

Bird name: Gabar Goshawk
Latin: Micronisus gabar
Other: Autour gabar (Fr)
Family: Accipitridae • Birds of Prey, Goshawks
Range: Widespread Africa
Similar: Dark Chanting Goshawk, Eastern Chanting Goshawk

Many thanks to Tom C for these shots of what are likely Gabar Goshawks in Tanzania.More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Mar 2013

Bird name: Martial Eagle
Latin: Polemaetus bellicosus
Other: Aigle martial (Fr), águila marcial (Es), Águia-belicosa (Pt), Kampfadler (De), aquila marziale (It), vechtarend (Nl)
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar:

The Martial Eagle is a very large powerful eagle. The adult (pictured here) is relatively easy to identify in the Gambia, from its white underside spotted brown, clearly demarcated at the chest. Otherwise dark brown. Slight crest.

We saw this Martial Eagle near the mangroves swamps of Tendaba.

Martial Eagle on top of tree, Tendaba, Gambia, Mar 2013



More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Long Crested Eagle
Latin: Lophaetus occipitalis
Other: Aigle huppard (Fr), águila crestilarga (Es), águia-de-poupa (Pt), Schopfadler (De),
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar:

We saw Long-crested Eagles several times in the Gambia in February. It is one of the easier eagles to identify, when perched at least, because of its very prominent long crest. Quite a small dark eagle. Tarsi are feathered but look quite ‘thin’. In flight large white windows on primaries.

Long-crested Eagle, Tujereng, Gambia, Mar 2013.
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Wahlberg's Eagle
Latin: Hieraaetus wahlbergi
Other: Aigle de Wahlberg (Fr), águila de Wahlberg (Es), aquila Wahlbergi (It)
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa. Gambia etc
Similar: Tawny Eagle

These Wahlberg’s Eagles pictured were difficult to identify in the field, although Wahlberg’s Eagle did seem to be the most common raptor near Janjanbureh, upriver in the Gambia, and was frequently seen. Juveniles are light brown, adults are dark brown but there is a light morph (see below) with almost whitish head.

Wahlberg's Eagles have round nostrils, distinguishing them from Tawny and Steppe Eagles; a small crest is often visible; gape only extends at most to the middle of the eye - Lesser Spotted Eagle’s extends to the back of the eye. Wahlberg’s Eagles have feathered tarsi like all true aquila eagles.

Below, pale morph Wahlberg’s Eagle, Gambia, Feb 2013
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: African Hawk Eagle
Latin: Aquila spilogaster
Other: Aigle fascié (Fr), águila azor africano (Es), Afrikanische Habichtsadler (De), Afrikaanse havikarend (Nl)
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa, ex Congo basin. Gambia etc
Similar:

Record shot of what looks to be an African Hawk-Eagle flying over, up river in the Gambia. We probably saw several, but birds of prey in flight are usually difficult to identify.

© monacoeye • Female kestrel hovering, France • 2009

Bird name: Common Kestrel
Latin: Falco tinnunculus
Other: Kestrel (UK), Faucon Crécerelle (Fr), Turmfalke (De), Cernícalo vulgar (Es), Gheppio comune (It), Torenvalk (Nl), Tornfalk (Sv), Peneireiro-vulgar (Pt)
Family: Falconidae • Falcons, Kestrels
Range: Europe, Asia, India, Africa
Similar: Lesser Kestrel

The male Kestrel has a grey cap and tail, while the female is brown. Both have the dark malar stripe characteristic of falcons.

There are many races of Kestrel each with slightly different patterning. In France the nominate tinnunculus race is present, while in Gambia the rufescens race is found (see below). Male rufescens have more heavily barred upperside than tinnunculus; female rufescens are deeper brown and more barred than tinnunculus.

Kestrels are one of the most abundant and visible birds of prey in Europe - often seen hovering in mid air before swooping down to catch a lizard or small mammal.

They are small birds, a little larger than pigeons.

Below, male Common Kestrel wing pattern. Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus, France


Common Kestrel brings agama lizard to juv? Falco tinnunculus rufescens


Below, Common Kestrel. Falco tinnunculus rufescens. Gambia, Feb 2013
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved. Gambia, Mar 2013.

Bird name: Lanner Falcon
Latin: Falco biarmicus
Other: Faucon lanier (Fr), Lanario (It), halcón borni (Es), alfaneque (Pt), Lanner (De)
Family: Falconidae • Falcons
Range: Africa, SE Europe, Asia
Similar: Saker Falcon

We saw Lanner Falcons several times while in the Gambia. This one was perched at the edge of an open area in Tujereng. A large and powerful falcon. Reddish back to head.
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013.

Bird name: Grey Kestrel
Latin: Falco ardosiaceus
Other: Gray Kestrel (US), Faucon ardoisé (Fr), Cernícalo pizarroso (Es), Gheppio grigio (It), grijze torenvalk (Nl), Grå tornfalk (Sv)
Family: Falconidae • Falcons, Kestrels
Range: W, C Africa - incl Gambia
Similar:

We saw this Grey Kestrel perched in a palm beside the river on MacCarthy Island, in the Gambia. Large amount of yellow around the eyes.

Below, Grey Kestrel, Gambia River, Gambia, Feb 2013.
More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Amazonia, Brazil, August.

Bird name: Black Caracara
Latin: Daptrius ater
Other: Gavião-de-anta (Br) • Caracara negro (Es), chupacacao negro, cacao negro
Family: Falconidae • Falcons, Caracaras
Range: Amazonia: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela.
Similar:

I saw Black Caracaras in Amazonia in Brazil and Ecuador. Adults are black birds with red-orange face masks, juveniles have a yellow face. Unmistakeable. Like other caracaras, often in groups.

Below, a perched Black Caracara in Para, Brazil, August.
More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Amazonia, Brazil.

Bird name: Red Throated Caracara
Latin: Ibycter americanus
Other: Gralhão, cancão-grande (Br) • Chupacacao de vientre blanco (Es)
Family: Falconidae • Falcons, Caracaras
Range: Mexico to Brazil
Similar:

The Red-throated Caracara is a great looking bird - I only saw them once and at some distance, so just record shots here. They were very vocal.

Unlike other caracaras the Red-throated Caracara mostly feeds on bee and wasp larvae, also other insects and fruit.

Below, group of Red-throated Caracaras in Para, Brazil.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009

Bird name: Southern Crested Caracara
Latin: Caracara plancus
Other: Southern Caracara • Caracará, carancho (Br) • Carancho, caricari, caracara moñudo, carcaña, guarro, moñudo. traro (Es)
Family: Falconidae • Falcons, Caracaras
Range: South America, south of the Amazon, excluding highlands.
Similar:

The Southern Crested Caracaras near Lagoa do Peixe flew above the marshes, which are densely populated with nesting birds, such as swallows, lapwing and other waders. The one above, which was flying around with a stolen egg, was being mobbed by Southern Lapwing and sheltered by a fence, where they were unable to dive-bomb him, as he tucked in to his breakfast.

Another pair were seen nesting on the top of the largest tree around.

They are quickly identifiable by their large orange-red and blue bill area, barred chest, some barring on wings, light patches at end of wings, but tips dark. White lightly-barred tail with dark band at end. Yellow legs. Further below a Southern Crested Caracara with yellowish bill, seen in the Pantanal - I think this must be a young adult.

Southern Crested Caracaras visited feeders at Curicaca Lodge in the Pantanal every day. They were often visible around the lodge, eating scraps or finding carrion.

Below, Southern Caracara has raided an egg, Mostardas, RS, Brazil, November.


Below, Southern Crested Caracara, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2012
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009

Bird name: Chimango Caracara
Latin: Milvago chimango
Other: Chimango (Br) • Chimango (Es), Caracara chimango, Tiuque, Chiuque
Family: Falconidae • Falcons, Caracaras
Range: Southern states of Brazil and southern parts of South America
Similar: Yellow-headed Caracara juvenile

The Chimango Caracara was the most common caracara near Mostardas. Seen flying above marshes, mobbed by swallows and lapwing, perching on posts with food, standing in road.

The Chimango Caracara is mottled brown, with a stripe behind the eye, like the Yellow-headed Caracara but not as strong or long. Indeed the Chimango is darker in the head and body than the Yellow-Headed Caracara.

It has white patches near the ends of the wings, fingers are white underneath but tips dark seen from above. Tail is light and faintly barred with a dark terminal strip. Bill can show pinkish-red colour at base.

Below, Chimago Caracara, Mostardas, Brazil, November
More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009

Bird name: Yellow Headed Caracara
Latin: Milvago chimachima
Other: Carrapateiro (Br) • Chimachimá (Es)
Family: Falconidae • Falcons, Caracaras
Range: Central and South America; widespread Brazil.
Similar: Juvenile Chimango Caracara

Near Lagoa do Peixe in November the Yellow-headed Caracara was much less common than the Chimango Caracara and seemed to stay near wooded areas rather than open marshland. It is associated with farmland.

Its distinguishing feature is a dark line running behind the eye. Its body and head is mostly light yellowish brown. Lower areas of underside of wings are barred and there are white panels near the end of wings with dark fingers. Upperside of wings is dark brown with white panels. Tail is lightly barred with dark tip. Immature Yellow-headed Caracaras are more barred on body and neck.

The Brazilian name Carrapateiro is derived from Carrapato, which means tick, as the Yellow-headed Caracara is known to pick ticks off cattle.

Below, Yellow-headed Caracara, Brazil


Below, Yellow-headed Caracara, Panama, March
More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Pantanal, Brazil, August.

Bird name: Laughing Falcon
Latin: Herpetotheres cachinnans
Other: Acauã (Br) • Halcón reidor (Es), halcón guaco, halcón risueño, guaicurú, guaco
Family: Falconidae • Falcons
Range: Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil to Argentina
Similar:

No mistaking the Laughing Falcon, with its light underside and large black eye mask. When perched it appears to have a “flat-top” haircut. A specialist snake-eater. Seen in the Pantanal at Pouse Alegre.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Para, Brazil, August, 2011

Bird name: Bat Falcon
Latin: Falco rufigularis
Other: Halcón murcielaguero (Es) • Cauré (Br)
Family: Falconidae • Falcons
Range: Mexico, Central America, tropical South America
Similar: Orange-breasted Falcon

Above, record shot of Bat Falcon perched beside river in Amazonia, Brazil.More photos...

Copyright TC/monacoeye • Tanzania

Bird name: Pygmy Falcon
Latin: Polihierax semitorquatus
Other: African Pygmy Falcon
Family: Falconidae • Falcons
Range: E, S Africa: Sudan, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania; Angola, South Africa
Similar:

Thanks to Tom for this shot of the East African Pygmy Falcon - P. s. castanonotus - in Tanzania. The smallest of all raptors in Africa.

Copyright monacoeye

Bird name: Saker Falcon
Latin: Falco cherrug
Other: Falco sacro (It) • Sakerfalke, Würgfalke (De)
Family: Falconidae • Falcons
Range: E Europe to Manchuria, Ethiopia
Similar:

Falconer’s bird.More photos...

Copyright TH/monacoeye

Bird name: Nankeen Kestrel
Latin: Falco cenchroides
Other:
Family: Falconidae • Falcons, Kestrels
Range: Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand vagrant
Similar:

A shot of a falconer’s bird.More photos...

Copyright TH/monacoeye

Bird name: Brown Falcon
Latin: Falco berigora
Other:
Family: Falconidae • Falcons
Range: Australia
Similar:

Another falconer’s bird.

Copyright monacoeye • Alpes Maritimes, France • Aug 2012

Bird name: Golden Eagle
Latin: Aquila chrysaetos
Other: Aigle royal (Fr) • águila real (Es) • Aquila reale (It) • Steinadler (De) • Kungsörn (Sv) • águia-real (Pt)
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range: Europe, Asia, North America, especially mountainous areas.
Similar: Griffon Vulture in Mercantour, other Aquila eagles.

Record shot of my first sighting of a Golden Eagle, in the Mercantour. A very large bird flying near a mountain ridge above us, at about 2500 m, mobbed by crows. In the Mercantour, one confusion species could be Griffon Vulture, which is also very large, but far more common.

Copyright monacoeye • Alpes Maritimes, France • Aug 2012

Bird name: Northern Goshawk
Latin: Accipiter gentilis
Other: Autour des palombes (Fr) • Azor común (Es) • Astore (It) • Habicht (De) • Havik (Nl) • Duvhök (Sv) • Açor (Pt)
Family: Accipitridae • Sparrowhawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Europe, Asia, North America
Similar: Eurasian Sparrowhawk

The Goshawk is significantly larger than the more common Sparrowhawk. In fact this juvenile was seen with a sparrowhawk - I think being mobbed by it. The juvenile Goshawk can be differentiated by vertical stripes on chest and belly, but adults have similar markings to Sparrowhawks. Male goshawks can be similar in size to female sparrowhawks, since females are much larger than males in both species.

The Goshawk is a very fast and powerful bird, which hunts medium sized birds and mammals, such as pigeons, jays, squirrels and hares, especially in forested areas.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Summit Gardens, Panama • April 2010

Bird name: Harpy Eagle
Latin: Harpia harpyja
Other: Aguila harpía (Es) • Harpia (Br)
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range: Central America and tropical South America to Brazil
Similar:

The top pics are of a captive Harpy Eagle eating at the Summit Gardens zoo - further below there are a couple of pics of a wild bird in Brazil, sent in by Paula.

The Harpy Eagle is the largest and most powerful raptor in the Americas, with much larger talons than a Golden Eagle. Somehow, close up it didn’t look quite as big as I had expected. A rare bird, classed as Near Threatened, it is being reintroduced in several locations, including Soberania National Park in Panama.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Rio de Janeiro • Sep 2011

Bird name: White Tailed Hawk
Latin: Buteo albicaudatus
Other: Gavião-de-rabo-branco (Br) • Gavilán coliblanco, aguilucho alas largas (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Americas: Texas to Argentina
Similar: Red-backed Hawk

We saw this pair of White-tailed Hawks attending chicks in a nest, in northern Rio de Janerio state. One was a light morph (above), the other a dark morph (below).More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Savanna Hawk
Latin: Buteogallus meridionalis
Other: Heterospizias meridionalis • Gavião-caboclo (Br) • Gavilán cangrejero colorado, Busardo sabanero (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Panama to Argentina, incl Brazil
Similar:

The Savanna Hawk is a handsome bird, in tones of sienna and grey, with a light head and dark band running along the back of wings. The back is dark grey, with some grey extending into the upperside of the wings. The wings and body seen from below are mostly uniform finely-barred light rufous and grey, with dark fingertips.

The tail has one thick white band bordered by dark bands of brown, with some white at the tip. The Savannah Hawk has distinctive rufous “trousers”, yellow legs and yellow bill base with black tip.

Seen here on farmland, the Savannah Hawk is present throughout most of Brazil and is present in South America from Panama to Argentina. Seen frequently in the Pantanal in August.

Below: Savanna Hawk watching road, Pantanal, 2011


Below, Savanna Hawk flying low over field with wings swept back, S Brazil.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye

Bird name: Harris Hawk
Latin: Parabuteo unicinctus
Other: Busardo de Harris (Es) • Gavião-asa-de-telha (Br)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: SW USA through Latin America to Argentina, S Brazil, Chile
Similar:

A Harris Hawk at a French falconry show.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecuador, 2011

Bird name: Broad Winged Hawk
Latin: Buteo platypterus
Other: Gavião-de-asa-largo (Br) • Aguila aliancha, gavilán aliancho (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: USA through Latin America, E Brazil
Similar:

A Broad-winged Hawk, beside the road, in the mountains in eastern Ecuador.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Para, Brazil • Sep 2011

Bird name: Grey Headed Kite
Latin: Leptodon cayanensis
Other: Gray-headed Kite (US) • Milano cabecigrís (Es) • Gavião-de-cabeça-cinza (Br)
Family: Accipitridae • Kites, Birds of Prey
Range: Mexico to northern Argentina, incl Panama, Brazil
Similar:

The Grey-Headed Kite has a pale grey head with white body contrasting with dark wings and barred flight feathers. Two narrow white bands on tail (a third sometimes visible). Bill bluish.

Also seen in the mountains of Valle de Anton in central Panama.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Pantanal Aug 2011

Bird name: Great Black Hawk
Latin: Buteogallus urubitinga
Other: Gavião-preto (Br) • Gavilán cangrejero grande, urubitinga (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Mexico to Southern Brazil
Similar: Common Black Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, Snail Kite

I saw this Great Black Hawk on the Transpantaneira in the Pantanal. All black except for white tail band, massive bill.

Bird name: Eastern Chanting Goshawk
Latin: Melierax poliopterus
Other: Pale Chanting Goshawk • Autour à ailes grises (Fr)
Family: Accipitridae • Chanting Goshawks, Birds of Prey
Range: East Africa
Similar:

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Ecuador • March

Bird name: Plumbeous Kite
Latin: Ictinia plumbea
Other: Sovi, gavião-sauveiro (Br) • Milano plomizo (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Kites, Birds of Prey
Range: Latin America: Mexico to Argentina, incl Ecuador
Similar:

A Plumbeous Kite flying through the trees in Ecuador, March. Note rufous wing tips and banded tail. Also seen at Floresta Amazonica in Alta Floresta, Brazil.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009

Bird name: Pearl Kite
Latin: Gampsonyx swainsonii
Other: Gaviãozinho, cauré, cricri (Br) • (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Kites, Birds of Prey
Range: Panama, Colombia, Venezuela to Bolivia, Argentina
Similar:

Quick view of a Pearl Kite in eastern Ecuador. The smallest of raptors in the Americas. Note peachy cheeks and black line down neck.

Copyright: TC/monacoeye • Tanzania • All rights reserved

Bird name: Augur Buzzard
Latin: Buteo augur
Other: Buse augure (Fr)
Family: Accipitridae • Buzzards, Birds of Prey
Range: Ethiopia to Angola, Namibia, incl Tanzania
Similar:

An Augur Buzzard from Tanzania - thanks to Tom for this nice shot.

Copyright: monacoeye • Camargue, France • January 2012 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Buzzard
Latin: Buteo buteo
Other: Buse Variable (Fr) • Mäusebussard (De) • ratonero común (Es) • poiana comune (It) • Buizerd (Nl) • Ormvråk (Sv) • Águia-de-asa-redonda (Pt)
Family: Accipitridae • Buzzards, Birds of Prey
Range: Europe, Asia
Similar: Honey Buzzard, Rough-legged Buzzard

The Camargue has many Common Buzzards in the winter - most of these photos were taken there. Adults are usually rich brown with light marks under wings, especially near tips, as pictured.

They’re often perched on lamp-posts or trees overlooking the road. Also seen near Monaco all year round.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Camargue, Jan 2012

Bird name: Hen Harrier
Latin: Circus cyaneus
Other: Northern Harrier (US, IOC) • Busard Saint-Martin (Fr) • Kornweihe (De) • Aguilucho pálido, Gavilán rastrero (Es) • Albanella reale (It) • Blauwe kiekendief (Nl) • Blå kärrhök (Sv) • Tartaranhão-azulado (Pt)
Family: Accipitridae • Harriers, Birds of Prey
Range: Europe, Asia
Similar: Male Marsh Harrier

Record shots of a female Hen Harrier seen in January in the Camargue, flying low over salt marshes.

The IOC name is Northern Harrier, which also describes the US subspecies; Hen Harrier, Circus cyaneus cyaneus, is the name used in the UK and describes only the Eurasian bird.

Note white band on rump - a good indicator.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Pantanal, August 2011

Bird name: Black Collared Hawk
Latin: Busarellus nigricollis
Other: Gavião-belo (Br) • águila colorada (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Mexico to Uruguay incl Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Venezuela etc
Similar: Savanna Hawk

I saw Black Collared Hawks regularly during my week in the Pantanal (but nowhere else). Difficult to drive down the Transpantaneira highway without seeing one.

The Black Collared Hawk is an attractive hawk, and reminded me of the Savanna Hawk, but was easy to identify by its black collar, even in the juvenile (see further below). Head white. In adults body is mostly rufous tones with blackish flight feathers, but juveniles have light patches - especially on chest - and are browner. Often by roadsides or riversides. Takes up similar positions to Roadside Hawks.

Below: Adult Black Collared Hawk taking off, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011


Below: Juvenile Black Collared Hawk, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011
More photos...

The Greater Yellow-headed Vulture is the biggest, with deep wings, mostly dark underwing, lighter near body. Long tail, feet protrude past vent. Coloured head.

The Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture is the smallest, with narrow wings, quite light underwing, lighter near body. Shortish tail, feet just protrude past vent. Coloured narrow head.

The Turkey Vulture has very light undersides of wing, form body to tip. Short tail. Feet do not protrude past vent. Pink head with white upper neck (sometimes).

The American Black Vulture has light “fingers”. The rest of the wing often appears dark from below. Black head.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Canopy Tower, Panama April 2010

Bird name: Turkey Vulture
Latin: Cathartes aura
Other: Urubu-de-cabeça-vermelha (Br) • Turkey Buzzard (US) • John Crow (Caribbean) • Aura común (Es)
Family: Cathartidae • New World Vultures
Range: Americas: Canada to Argentina, incl Panama, Ecuador, Brazil etc.
Similar: Black Vulture, Lesser Yellow Headed Vulture, Comparison

In Panama, there is only one other similar vulture with a thick white trailing band on the wing, the Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, which has a yellowish, not pink, head.

Turkey Vultures can quickly be distinguished from other birds of prey at a distance by their V-shaped wings when gliding. The key fieldmark for differentiating them from other vultures is the well defined light underside of wings. Also they have pink heads.

Cathartes aura ruficollis, the indigenous Panamanian vultures pictured above and further below have light marks on the back of the neck. Large numbers of migrating Turkey Vultures can also be seen in Panama at the right time of the year.

Turkey Vultures were less common than Black-headed Vultures by the coast and in Itatiaia NP. There I saw them on three occasions, singly or in pairs, very high up or low in the forest.
In the Pantanal they were seen regularly in August 2011, but not as frequently as the Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture.

In Panama, in April, the Turkey Vulture was more common than the American Black Vulture, and frequently seen in most non-urban locations. The observation deck of the Canopy Tower is a good place to get views of them soaring across the top of the forest.

Below: Turkey Vulture showing light underside of wing feathers, Pantanal, Brazil, August.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Pantanal, August 2011.

Bird name: Lesser Yellow Headed Vulture
Latin: Cathartes burrovianus
Other: Urubu-de-cabeça-amarela, urubu-menor-de-cabeça-amarela (Br) • Aura sabanera (Es)
Family: Cathartidae • New World Vultures
Range: Mexico, Central America, South America E of Andes, esp. Brazil, Pantanal. Lowland wet grassland, swamps, heavily degraded forest.
Similar: Greater Yellow Headed Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Comparison

The Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture is the most visible vulture in the Pantanal (Turkey Vultures also seen). Seen eating at fruit feeders at Curicaca Lodge and beside the road leading to the Transpantaneira.

The Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture is a smaller bird than the Greater Yellow-headed Vulture, with thinner wings and narrower head. Underside of wings lighter than GYHV but not as light as TV. Head more colourful (with yellow and blue) than Turkey Vulture. The Greater Yellow-headed Vulture is not found in the Pantanal. The Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture was rare (I didn’t see one) in the forested Rio Azul lodge, southern Para.

Below: Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Pantanal. Lightened slightly to show wing pattern.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Para, Brazil, September 2011.

Bird name: Greater Yellow Headed Vulture
Latin: Cathartes melambrotus
Other: Urubu-da-mata, urubu-maior-de-cabeça-amarela (Br) • Aura común (Es)
Family: Cathartidae • New World Vultures
Range: Northern South America, incl northern Brazil, Amazonia etc. Low altitude tropical forest.
Similar: Lesser Yellow Headed Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Comparison

Although in field guides The Greater Yellow Headed Vulture looks similar to the Lesser Yellow Headed Vulture and the Turkey Vulture, I found them quite easy to distinguish in practice.

Firstly there is not much overlap between Greater and Lesser Yellow Headed Vultures. Lesser is in the Pantanal, Greater in Amazonia, but with some Lessers near the Amazon itself.

Secondly, Greater Yellow Headed Vultures are very large birds, with very deep wings and long tails.

Thirdly, their wings are mostly dark underneath, with light patches nearest the body blending into the other darker feathers. Both the Turkey Vulture and the Lesser Yellow Headed Vulture have more delineated and lighter undersides.

The Greater Yellow Headed Vulture has a coloured head, with yellow, pink and blue parts, unlike the Turkey Vulture which is all pink-red with some white.

I saw Greater Yellow Headed Vultures flying over the Rio Azul Lodge in Para, usually around midday.

Below, Greater Yellow-headed Vulture. Photo lightened slightly to show wing pattern.
More photos...

Copyright: DK/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Pantanal, August 2011.

Bird name: Andean Condor
Latin: Vultur gryphus
Other: Condor-dos-andes (Br) • Cóndor andino, cóndor de los Andes, condornel (Es)
Family: Cathartidae • New World Vultures
Range: Andes: (Venezuela, Colombia), Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, (also Brazil)
Similar: juvenile is dark like Black Vulture

Thanks to Dirk for these photos of the majestic Andean Condor in Peru. I saw no Condors in Ecuador at Papallacta, where they are occasionally seen. A rare bird now, classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN red list.

The adult Andean Condor has a characteristic white collar and white back of wing, unlike any other vulture. With three-metre wingspan, it is also much larger than even the Greater Yellow-headed Vulture (210cm). The juvenile, pictured above, is brown.

Below: adult Andean Condor in Peru.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Lagoa do Peixe, Brazil • Nov 2009

Bird name: Roadside Hawk
Latin: Buteo magnirostris
Other: Gavião-carijó (Br) • Gavilán pollero (Es), Aguilucho de ala rojiza, Taguato común
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Latin America, Mexico to Argentina, incl Brazil
Similar:

The Roadside Hawk has a dark head with pale irises and usually pale barred chest and underwings. Topside of wings are dark, with a rufous wing patch on primaries. This rufous patch, usually just visible on perched birds, is diagnostic for Roadside Hawk.

The Roadside Hawk is typically the most frequently seen bird of prey when birding in Latin America, so it is a good bird to learn to identify.

Tail has thick brown and white horizontal stripes. Bill base is yellowish with dark tip and perhaps some light blue in the middle.

There are several subspecies and morphs, where dark brown is replaced by grey. Upper chest can be dark (Panama) or vertically striped (Brazil).

In the Pantanal in August I saw Roadside Hawks on most days - near roads, rivers and in forest. Near Mindo, Ecuador, in April, it was also the most common and visible bird of prey.

Below, Roadside Hawk mobbed in El Valle, Panama, May 2010. Dark throat and chest.


Below, a pair of Roadside Hawks in Mindo, Ecuador, April 2011. Yellow irises, orange ceres, grey throat and chest, rufous primaries just visible in perched birds. Thin white barring lines on underside.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Mercantour, France • May 2011

Bird name: European Honey Buzzard
Latin: Pernis apivorus
Other: Bondrée Apivore (Fr) • Wespenbussard (De) • Wespendief (Nl) • Falco pecchiaiolo occidentale (It) • Halcón abejero (Es) • Tartaranhão-apívoro (Pt) • Bivråk (Sv)
Family: Accipitridae • Honey Buzzards, Birds of Prey
Range: Breeding - most of Europe, Russia. Migrates to sub-Saharan Africa.
Similar: Common Buzzard

The European Honey Buzzard, although not closely related to the Common Buzzard, does look rather similar to it. The main difference is a longer tail (equal to the width of wings) and neck, and a pigeon-like head.

Pictured above and below is a female I saw in the Mercantour in May.

Unlike adults, juveniles (see “more photos”) have vertical, not horizontal, lines on the belly, and dark, not yellow, irises. They also have wider secondaries, yellow ceres and more barring in the wings.

The adult male pictured in “more photos” below has much white on the underside, but there are also dark morphs.

Another good identification mark for Honey Buzzards is the two dark bands near the underside base of the tail. They also tend to have more of an angle in the wing than Common Buzzards.

Honey Buzzards feed wasps to their young. They are believed to have a deterrent against wasp stings - hence their name.

Hundreds of Honey Buzzards fly down the coast past Monaco towards Spain and Africa every September - a magnificent sight.

Directly below, an adult female European Honey Buzzard, Mercantour, France, May.
More photos...

Copyright: RN/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Lago Roca, Jan 2010

Bird name: Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle
Latin: Geranoaetus melanoleucus
Other: Aguila mora, águila chilena • Águia-chilena (Br)
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range: Venezuela to S Chile, SE South America
Similar:

Many thanks to Becky for sending in this great set of pictures from Tierra del Fuego. This lovely picture of a juvenile Black-chested Buzzard Eagle was taken beside the road at Lago Roca in January.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Alpes Maritimes, January

Bird name: Peregrine Falcon
Latin: Falco peregrinus
Other: Faucon pèlerin (Fr) • Wanderfalke (De) • Halcón peregrino (Es) • Falco pellegrino (It) • Falcão-peregrino (Pt)
Family: Falconidae • Falcons
Range: Widespread worldwide
Similar:

The Peregrine Falcon is a powerful and fast bird which preys on other smaller birds. There is currently a pair nesting in the mountains above Monaco so one can often get a good view.

This was one of a pair I saw at the weekend. They often whizz past too fast for a crisp shot, but here he was circling up on a thermal, before shooting off down the mountainside. Females are larger than males, I think the bird pictured is a male.

Peregrines are reportedly able to reach speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 mph) and are thus the world’s fastest animal.

There are many different subspecies of Peregrine Falcon worldwide. The local subspecies, pictured above, and found around the Mediterranean, is Falco peregrinus brookei, also known as the Maltese Falcon.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Camargue, Jan 2012

Bird name: Northern Harrier
Latin: Circus cyaneus
Other: Hen Harrier (UK) • Busard Saint-Martin (Fr) • Kornweihe (De) • Aguilucho pálido, Gavilán rastrero (Es) • Albanella reale (It) • Blauwe kiekendief (Nl) • Blå kärrhök (Sv) • Tartaranhão-azulado (Pt)
Family: Accipitridae • Harriers, Birds of Prey
Range: Europe, Asia
Similar:

Record shots of a Hen Harrier, the Circus cyaneus cyaneus subspecies of Northern Harrier, seen in January in the Camargue, flying low over salt marshes.

The IOC lump both US and Eurasian subspecies as Northern Harrier - the latter also describes just the US subspecies, C. c. hudsonius, split by some taxonomies.

Note white band on rump. More photos...

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Perth, Australia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Wedge Tailed Eagle
Latin: Aquila audax
Other:
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range: Australia
Similar:

This young Wedge Tailed Eagle was, I understand, recovered from captivity and an attempt was made at rehabilitation but it was too tame to release.

Copyright monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Alpes Maritimes, France • Sep 2010

Bird name: Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Latin: Accipiter nisus
Other: Epervier d'Europe (Fr) • Gavilán (Es) • Sparviere Eurasiatico (It) • Sperber (De)
Family: Accipitridae • Sparrowhawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Europe, Asia, Middle East
Similar:

The Sparrowhawk has a very characteristic wing shape, when seen from below: deep, short, curved wings, tapering at the end (see “more photos” below). The underside is fully barred. Colour is grey or brownish. The only other similar bird in Europe is the Goshawk.

Early September is a good time to see Sparrowhawks along the coast in the Alpes Maritimes. Although they are present all year round in much of Europe, northernmost Sparrowhawks will migrate locally further south.

As the name suggests, they prey on smaller birds.More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Alpes Maritimes, France • Sep 2010

Bird name: Eleonora's Falcon
Latin: Falco eleonorae
Other: Faucon d’Eléonore (Fr) • Halcón de Eleonor (Es) • Falco della Regina (It)
Family: Falconidae • Falcons
Range: Mediterranean islands mostly and some Mediterranean coastline

A couple of indistinct distant shots of what was probably quite a rare sighting of an Eleonora’s Falcon, three days ago, flying along the coast in the Alpes Maritimes.

Although Eleonora’s Falcon is thought to have a worldwide population of only about 4000 breeding pairs, and in Europe is found mostly on Mediterranean islands, with 650 pairs counted on the small Greek island of Tilos alone, about half a dozen Eleonora’s Falcons are recorded migrating near the French coast in the Alpes Maritimes in September every year. They head towards Spain and then Africa and spend the northern winter in Madagascar.More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Verdon • August 2009 Sep 2010

Bird name: Griffon Vulture
Latin: Gyps fulvus
Other: Eurasian Griffon Vulture • Vautour fauve (Fr) • Buitre leonado (Es) • Grifone (It)
Family: Accipitridae • Old World Vultures, Birds of Prey
Range: Southern Europe into Middle East and northern India
Similar:

The Griffon Vulture is a very large old world vulture with a two-and-a-half-metre wingspan - so quite a bit larger than a Golden Eagle.

These magnificent scavengers have been successfully reintroduced in the Gorges of Verdon, in the South of France. In the summer some of the Verdon vultures move a little further east to the Mercantour region.

They are scattered throughout southern Europe, having been successfully reintroduced in several locations, and are found in larger numbers in central Asia and northern India.

The Griffon Vulture can be distinguished from the Black Vulture by its light coverts, the triangular area from the shoulder along the frontmost part of the wing. The tail of these European vultures appears proportionally short when compared to the Golden Eagle and other smaller birds of prey.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Valle de Anton, Panama • 3 May 2010

Bird name: Grey Hawk
Latin: Buteo nitidus
Other: Grey-lined Hawk, (White-rumped Hawk, Br) • Buteo plagiatus, Asturina nitida • Gavião-pedrês(Br) • Gavilán saraviado (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Texas to Argentina.

The Grey Hawk in Panama is a pale, finely barred small hawk, with yellow at base of bill and two white bands on tail, one thick, one thin (a third sometimes visible near base) and narrow white band at tip. Pale grey also from above.

We had good views of this individual in the town of El Valle, in central Panama, and another was seen earlier in Summit Gardens perched at the top of a tall tree.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Valle de Anton, Panama • 1 May 2010

Bird name: Short Tailed Hawk
Latin: Buteo brachyurus
Other: Gavilán rabicorto (Es), busardo de cola corta • Gavião-de-cauda-curta (Br)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Texas to Argentina.

This Short Tailed Hawk light morph is white underneath with strongly barred tail and flight feathers. It has a well defined dark hood with white throat and light patch in front of eyes. Upperside of wings and back is brown. There is also a dark morph.

The Short-tailed Hawk can be found from Florida to southern Brazil. The one pictured was seen in the El Valle mountains, in central Panama, another was seen near Canopy Tower.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • El Valle, Panama • 1 May 2010

Bird name: Barred Hawk
Latin: Leucopternis princeps
Other:
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru

The Barred Hawk is white below, finely barred with black (looks light grey at a distance), has a well-defined black-slate neck, head, upperside and tail, with one narrow white band on tail. Wing tips and rear wing edge slightly darker. Wide wings, short tail. Yellow on upper part of bill and ceres and feet. One bird below also has a thin white trailing edge to wings.

These Barred Hawks (two, I think) were seen close to the Caribbean-Pacific watershed near El Valle de Anton in central Panama in May. First perched on distant tree, then gliding on thermals with vultures and soaring.


More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Pipeline Road, Panama • 24 April 2010

Bird name: Mississippi Kite
Latin: Ictinia mississippiensis
Other: Milano boreal (Es) • Sauveiro do norte (Br)
Family: Accipitridae • Kites, Birds of Prey
Range: Texas to South America via Central America.
Similar:

We saw well over a hundred Mississippi Kites migrating towards North America, above the Pipeline Road in central Panama, in the Canal zone, in late April 2010. A fabulous site.

As you can see, there are 80 birds in the photo above, among which I think there is one odd-man-out, a Swainson’s Hawk. Can you see where? Give up? Top middle with vertical wings!


More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Los Quezales, Panama • 5 May 2010

Bird name: Ornate Hawk Eagle
Latin: Spizaetus ornatus
Other: Aguila crestuda real (Es), águila copetona real • Gavião-de-penacho (Br)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawk Eagles
Range: Humid tropical forests from Mexico to northern Argentina

Distant shots of an Ornate Hawk Eagle, from cabin number 8 at Los Quetzales in the Chiriqui highlands in western Panama.

A spectacular looking raptor when seen up close …More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Pipeline Road, Panama • 25 April 2010

Bird name: Semiplumbeous Hawk
Latin: Leucopternis semiplumbea
Other:
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador

The Semiplumbeous Hawk is slate grey on upperside, with red legs and one white band on tail, red ceres and base of bill, black bottom half of bill, orange-yellow irises, white underneath.

This individual was seen at the start of Pipeline Road, in central Panama, high in a tree, late April.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Gamboa, Panama • 29 April 2010

Bird name: Crane Hawk
Latin: Geranospiza caerulescens
Other: Gavilán patilargo (Es) • Gavião-pernilongo (Br)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Central America to South America

The Crane Hawk is slate grey on upperside, with black face and bill, long red legs and two thick white bands on tail. Red irises, possibly here. This individual was seen on the old Gamboa Road, in central Panama, but against the light unfortunately.
More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Pipeline Road, Panama • 24 April 2010

Bird name: Swainson’s Hawk
Latin: Buteo swainsoni
Other: Grasshopper Hawk • Gavilán langostero (Es), Gavilán de Swainson
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: North and west US etc (Apr - Sep) to Argentina etc (Nov - Mar)
Similar:

A couple of Swainson’s Hawks were seen migrating northwards at the end of April, one in a large group of Mississippi Kites, near Pipeline Road in central Panama.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Metropolitan Park, Panama • 29 April 2010

Bird name: American Kestrel
Latin: Falco sparverius
Other: Quiriquiri (Br), Falcão-americano • Cernícalo americano (Es), Halconcito colorado
Family: Falconidae • Falcons
Range: Alaska to Argentina

This American Kestrel was sheltering from a downpour in the eves of an amenity building at the Parque Natural Metropolitano in Panama City.

The American Kestrel is a small falcon, widely distributed throughout the Americas.

Other observations: Mostardas, Brazil, November 2009, a pair roosting on the town satellite tower.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Cerro Azul, Panama, 23 April 2010

Bird name: Swallow Tailed Kite
Latin: Elanoides forficatus
Other: Gavião-tesoura (Br) • Elanio tijereta (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Kites, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

The Swallow Tailed Kite is unmistakable by its long deeply-forked tail and contrasting black and white plumage.

Its range includes much of South America, excluding the southern cone, and extends up through Central America into southern USA.

I was greeted by a close group of about twenty or thirty Swallow-tailed Kites, circling on thermals on Cerro Azul, where these photos were taken on my first morning in Panama. Possibly migrating, though there is a resident population.

More photos...

© TC/monacoeye • Do not copy • Valle de Anton • 1 May 2010

Bird name: Crested Owl
Latin: Lophostrix cristata
Other: Coruja-de-crista (Br)
Family: Strigidae • Owls
Range: Mexico to Brazil
Similar:

The Crested Owl is a large owl with long whitish ear tufts, and fine mottled barring on chest.

It is the only member of the Lophostrix genus and found in tropical Central and South America from southern Mexico to northwestern Brazil. This individual was seen in El Valle de Anton in central Panama.More photos...

© monacoeye • Do not copy • Pipeline Road • 24 April 2010

Bird name: Spectacled Owl
Latin: Pulsatrix perspicillata
Other: Búho de antifaz (Es), Oropopo, Lechuzón • Murucututu (Br), Murucutu
Family: Strigidae • Owls
Range: Mexico to Argentina
Similar:

This Spectacled Owl was very difficult to see and focus on, perched inside a hollow in the canopy in almost total darkness. This large owl will sometimes prey on the much larger three-toed sloth.

This individual was seen off the Pipeline Road in central Panama. The Panamanian subspecies is Pulsatrix perspicillata chapmani. Spectacled Owls live from southern Mexico and Trinidad to southern Brazil and northwestern Argentina.More photos...

© monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Regua, Brazil • September 2011

Bird name: Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
Latin: Glaucidium brasilianum
Other: Caburé chico (Es) • Caburé (Br)
Family: Strigidae • Owls
Range: Arizona to Argentina, incl Brazil
Similar:

This is a terrible photo, but was taken in heavy mist which I’ve tried to compensate for, without much success, in Photoshop. You can see the belly markings though.

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl is found throughout most of Central and South America, bar Chile, its range stretching from Arizona in the US.More photos...

© TC/monacoeye • Do not copy • Valle de Anton • 27 April 2010

Bird name: Mottled Owl
Latin: Ciccaba virgata
Other: Coruja-do-mato (Br)
Family: Strigidae • Owls
Range: Mexico to Argentina
Similar:

Thanks again to Tom for sending me his shot of the Mottled Owl which we didn’t manage to see in El Valle, Panama.

The Mottled Owl has no ear-tufts and is strictly nocturnal.
More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Iguaçu 2006 - Panama 25 April 2010

Bird name: King Vulture
Latin: Sarcoramphus papa
Other: Urubu-rei (Br) • Zamuro rey (Es)
Family: Cathartidae • Vultures

The King Vulture is the only vulture with a thick black rear wing band - the rest is white. And he has a distinctive colourful head. The range of the King Vulture extends through much of South and Central America, up to the Yucatan peninsula.

The bird in flight was seen from the top deck of the Canopy Tower in central Panama in April.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Serengeti, Oct 2009

Bird name: Tawny Eagle
Latin: Aquila rapax
Other:
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles

A couple of nice shots of Tawny Eagles, sent in by André, taken in the Serengeti. These large eagles breed in Africa and Asia, and all the way to India.

Aquila eagles can be identified by their feathered legs. The Tawny Eagle is known for its slightly scruffy appearance.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Eze, Oct 2009

Bird name: Red Kite
Latin: Milvus milvus
Other: Milan royal (Fr) • Nibbio reale (It) • Milano real (Es) • Rotmilan (De)
Family: Accipitridae • Kites, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

A few flight shots of a couple of Red Kites during autumn migration on the Cote d’Azur. Red Kites are not typical residents of the Alpes Maritimes, but some fly along the coast during migration. About 40 were recorded flying past Eze in 2008. The peak day for migration, with between 5 to 20 birds recorded typically, is around the 23rd of October. These photos were taken on the 2nd of October.

There is just enough detail to see the main identifying feature of the Red Kite, its wide forked tail, which distinguishes it from the Black Kite in flight. The light “window” near the end of the wings is also lighter, and the body more rufous, than the corresponding areas on the Black Kite.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Ubatuba, Nov 2009

Bird name: Black Hawk Eagle
Latin: Spizaetus tyrannus
Other: Tyrant Hawk-Eagle • Gavião-pega-macaco (Br)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawk Eagles

Pretty certain this was a Black Hawk-Eagle, flying fast towards trees not far from the beach - seen early one morning in Ubatuba, Brazil. The Black Hawk-Eagle is found from northern Argentina to Mexico.

This Black Hawk-Eagle was identified by the strongly barred black and white underside and tail. He seemed to be carrying something in his yellow talons. The Black Hawk-eagle is known as Gavião-pega-macaco in Brazil, in other words, the Catch-a-monkey Hawk !More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Verdon Apr 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Black Vulture
Latin: Aegypius monachus
Other: Cinereous Vulture, Monk Vulture, Eurasian Black Vulture • Vautour moine (Fr) • Buitre negro (Es) • Avvoltoio monaco (It)
Family: Accipitridae • Old World Vultures, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

A program for reintroducing the Black Vulture in the Gorges du Verdon was started in 2005. So far about a dozen have been released. I saw this one a couple of days ago.

The Black Vulture’s range extends from Spain, in the west, to the eastern Himalayas, with a notable absence in most of central and eastern Europe, where it is being reintroduced in several locations.

Although not very clear from this distant photo, the Black Vulture has dark markings on the face, and unlike the Griffon Vulture, no lighter coverts. The tail of these European vultures appears proportionally short when compared to the Golden Eagle and other smaller birds of prey.

The Black Vulture, also called Cinereous Vulture or Monk Vulture, is one of the largest birds of prey in the world, with close to a three-metre wingspan. It is dominant at feeding sites.

The Andean Condor is only slightly larger and not in the same family grouping. This Eurasian Black Vulture, an Old-World Vulture, is also not directly related to the similarly named American Black Vulture, which, like the Condor, is a New World Vulture.

The Black Vulture is classed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Egyptian Vulture
Latin: Neophron percnopterus
Other: Percnoptère (Fr), Vautour percnoptère • Alimoche (Es), Guirre, Buitre egipcio • Capovaccaio (It)
Family: Accipitridae • Old World Vultures, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

The Egyptian Vulture is a small vulture found in small numbers from southwestern Europe to Asia.

Instantly recognisable by its yellow bill and, in flight, diamond-shaped tail.

The Egyptian Vulture is classed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Santa Catarina • May 2007 • Do not copy

Bird name: American Black Vulture
Latin: Coragyps atratus
Other: Black Vulture • South American Black Vulture • Urubu (Br) • Zopilote Común (Es)
Family: Cathartidae • New World Vultures
Range:
Similar: Turkey Vulture, Comparison

The American Black Vulture’s range extends from the southern US to the southernmost tip of Brazil. The Brazilian subspecies, Coragyps atratus brasiliensis, is known as the South American Black Vulture.

These photos were taken in Brazil, where the Urubu, as the bird is known locally, is a familiar sight and always to be found on beaches where fisherman operate, as well as rubbish dumps, and just “around town” generally.

American Black Vultures are large birds, with one-metre-fifty wingspans - they are elegant gliders and have a slow and lazy wingbeat. Underside of wings are lightish (but usually look black against the sky) with dark coverts and white wing tips. The uppersides are black with light wingtips (see below in “more photos”).

Not to be confused with the Eurasian Black Vulture.

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Ubatuba • October 2009 • Do not copy

More photos...

Photos copyright: AS/monacoeye • Masai Mara • Oct 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Rüppel's Vulture
Latin: Gyps rueppellii
Other: Rueppel’s Vulture • Ruppel’s Vulture • Rüppel’s Griffon
Family: Accipitridae • Old World Vultures, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

Rüppel’s Vulture is found in central Africa, and photographed here in the Masai Mara in Kenya.

Rüppel’s Vulture is a large bird, a metre in length, with a wingspan of 2.6 metres. It has a white-brown underside, white collar, yellowish bill, white fluff on neck. The light bill distinguishes it from the similar White-backed Vulture.

It was recently moved to Near-Threatened status on IUCN Red List.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Kenya • Oct 2009

Bird name: Lappet Faced Vulture
Latin: Torgos tracheliotus
Other: Nubian Vulture
Family: Accipitridae • Old World Vultures, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

These Lappet-faced Vultures were photographed in the Masai Mara in Kenya and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.

I am less certain of the ID of the juvenile below (in “more photos”), so really need confirmation.

Comparison photo with White-backed Vulture here.

The Lappet-faced Vulture is classed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Olduvai Gorge • Oct 2009

Bird name: Secretary Bird
Latin: Sagittarius serpentarius
Other:
Family: Sagittariidae • Secretary Bird

The curiously anthropomorphic Secretary Bird, which looks a bit like a dancer with one outstretched leg (below), or a cartoon character looking for clues (above), photographed here in the Serengeti.

The Secretary Bird is a bird-of-prey in the Accipitriformes order, but in its own family, the Sagitarridae, which, in evolutionary terms, is older than the hawks, eagles and falcons, but not as old as the old-world vultures.

The Secretary Bird is a like a hawk on crane’s legs, hunting for food on foot, stamping on small prey or striking with its bill.

More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Amboseli • Oct 2009

Bird name: Bateleur
Latin: Terathopius ecaudatus
Other:
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

The Bateleur is a strongly marked medium-sized eagle, with a very short tail, which makes it easy to identify in flight.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ubatuba, SP • November 2009

Bird name: Rufous Thighed Kite
Latin: Harpagus diodon
Other: Gavião-bombachinha
Family: Accipitridae • Kites, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

The Rufous-thighed Kite is a mimic of the Bicoloured Hawk, so novices (like me) find them difficult to differentiate.

Fortunately the Rufous-thighed Kite has yellow around the eye and the Bicolored Hawk doesn’t, so that’s an easier differentiator if you’re close enough.

The Bicolored Hawk also tends to be bigger and has more of a fierce aspect. But at least one type of adult of each have similar barred wings and tail, rufous underarms and thighs, and plain greyish chest and belly.

The Rufous-thighed Kite lives mostly in Brazil but its range spreads over to neighbouring countries.

Thanks to Rick for ID!More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia, RJ • November 2009

Bird name: Rufous Thighed Hawk
Latin: Accipiter striatus erythronemius
Other: Sharp-shinned Hawk • Gavião-miúdo (Br) • Accipiter erythronemius
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

The Rufous-thighed Hawk is a subspecies (or species split) of Sharp-shinned Hawk living in the southeast of Brazil.

This one took me by surprise flying fast across the valley right up in front of the hotel, where it was mobbed by large numbers of Cliff Flycatchers, seemingly also appearing from nowhere.

The Rufous-thighed Hawk is similar to the Bicolored Hawk but is more rufous and has horizontal stripes underneath.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Long Winged Harrier
Latin: Circus buffoni
Other: Gavião-do-banhado, Tartaranhão-do-brejo (Br) • Aguilucho grande, Aguilucho de Azara, Gavilán planeador (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Harriers, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

The Long-winged Harrier was one of the more common birds of prey in the Lagoa do Peixe area. It lives in southeastern Brazil and neighbouring countries, migrating higher up South America in the winter, when it can be found as far north as Belem.

There are two types of Long-winged Harrier in Brazil, a light and a dark form, both of which were present near Mostardas. The pale form, above with frog, has a white belly and much white on underside of wings.

In the dark form, the light areas are replaced by black in the male and brown in the female. Both have rings round the neck, and a white face, with some dark around the eye. The tip of the bill is dark. The dark bars on light wings give the impression of small squares drawn on the underside of the wings.

Wings are long and swept back in a v-shape with long fingers.
More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Cinereous Harrier
Latin: Circus cinereus
Other: Gavião-cinza (Br) • Peuco, Varil, Aguilucho ceniciento, Gavilán ceniciento (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Harriers, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

In Brazil, the Cinereous Harrier is found only in Rio Grande do Sul, usually only in the southern winter, but this one was seen in Mostardas in late November. Its typical range is the southern cone South American countries and across the Andes to Colombia.

This Cinereous Harrier looks like a male by its white underside of wings and rufous barred chest. Wing tips are dark, a dark band runs along the back of the wing. The top side of the wings are grey like the head and neck. It has a long, straight, very lightly-barred tail. Irises are yellow with some yellow at the base of the bill. Great-looking bird! The female is generally browner.

He was carrying a small bird, maybe a rail? and flying in woodland near the Lagoa do Peixe.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Snail Kite
Latin: Rostrhamus sociabilis
Other: Gavião-caramujeiro (Br) • Caracolero común • Elanio caracolero • Gavilán caracolero • Milano caracolero
Family: Accipitridae • Kites, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

Snail Kites like nothing better than a large Apple Snail to eat - hence their name.

The farmer I was with, when I photographed these kites at a lake near Mostardas, told me that they were scavengers of rubbish, when I expressed surprise at the steady stream of them flying past. I don’t think they are scavengers, but when we visited the lake they were flying past about one every 200 metres.

The males (on left, below) are dark grey, with deep red legs, ceres and eyes and a thick black band on the tail behind a white rump. All Snail Kites have very hooked bills.

Females (on right, below) also have red eyes but yellow-orange legs and ceres,and brown wings with white showing rather like a common buzzard.

I would assume the other two types shown above with lighter faces (top two in the composite of birds on posts) are juveniles.

Snail Kites live mostly in eastern South America and the Caribbean, though they can also be found in Florida.

More photos...

Here’s another pale phase Booted Eagle seen a few days ago on the coast near Nice. Like the one I saw in January, (below), it seems a little out of range to be a resident, although it was circling and appeared to be hunting.

Typically a few dozen migrate along the coast towards Spain and Africa, so it may have been migrating. In 2004, exceptionally, 500 Booted Eagles were seen travelling up the coast from Spain, through the Pyrenees, along the Côte d’Azur eastwards and then presumably heading down through Italy to Africa.

Since then a few have still been coming this way. Although this is not the “normal” migration direction, this year, which is the first year I have observed migrating birds, quite a few birds appeared to be migrating “the wrong way”, including wood pigeons and birds of prey.

Other observers noticed similar behaviour, though whether the birds in question really were heading down Italy or were just flying back to the mountains for a thermal or another reason before continuing their journey to Spain, we had no way of knowing.

Booted Eagles can be much darker than these two individuals but always have pale patches around the inner primary feathers. Notice 6 “fingers” on wing tip, compared to buzzards 5.


Photos copyright: monacoeye • Vaugrenier - October • Camargue - January • France

Bird name: Booted Eagle
Latin: Aquila pennata
Other: Hieraaetus pennatus • Aigle Botté
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Birds of Prey

I have it on good authority this was a Booted Eagle… Unusual for this area in the winter.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Entressen + • July 2009

Bird name: Black Kite
Latin: Milvus migrans
Other: Milan Noir • European Black Kite
Family: Accipitridae • Kites, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

Dozens of Black Kites seen in Entressen - on ground, on posts, a good twenty in one tree, another twenty or thirty in the air above, some catching dragonflies … quite a sight!

More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Eurasian Hobby
Latin: Falco subbuteo
Other: Faucon hobereau
Family: Falconidae • Birds of Prey

The top shot illustrates the characteristic “red trousers” of the Hobby.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye.com • 2009 • Do not copy

Bird name: Bald Eagle
Latin: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Other:
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Sea Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

The Bald Eagle is the national bird of America. It lives in North America only. As one of 8 “sea eagles” the Bald Eagle forms a species pair with the White Tailed Eagle, which lives in Asia and Europe.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: White Tailed Eagle
Latin: Haliaeetus albicilla
Other: Sea Eagle • Erne • Ern • White-Tailed Sea-Eagle • Pygargue à Queue Blanche • Grand Aigle de Mer • Aigle Barbu
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Sea Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:


A superb bird, with a massive beak, the White-Tailed Eagle has a two metre wingspan and is the fourth largest eagle in the world. They can live to thirty years old.

The White Tailed Eagle is rare in Europe so the Danube Delta is a good place to see one. As this one approached on Caraorman Island he was mobbed by crows and then disappeared again.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye.com • Brazil May 2006 • Do not copy

Bird name: Mantled Hawk
Latin: Leucopternis polionotus
Other: Gavião Pombo Grande (br)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:


I saw this Mantled Hawk high above the forest, deep in the Mata Atlantica just south of São Paulo. Distinguishable by white rim feathers overlapping a black trailing wing edge.

Native to Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. IUCN status: Near Threatened.More photos...

Bird name: Eurasian Eagle Owl
Latin: Bubo bubo
Other: Hibou Grand Duc
Family: Strigiformes • Owls

Photo: monacoeye • Eze • April 2009

There was some kind of medieval festival held in nearby Eze village a couple of weeks ago.More photos...

I came across these two dead birds on my last visit to the Camargue in March 2009. The Barn Owl was beside the path in La Capellière and the Flamingo was beside the path at the Pont de Gau bird centre.More photos...

034 Family: Cathartidae • New World Vultures - IOC 2.5 - 2010
In Cathartiformes

Cathartes aura - Turkey Vulture - Widespread North America, Latin America
Cathartes burrovianus - Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture - E Mexico to N Argentina
Cathartes melambrotus - Greater Yellow-headed Vulture - Amazonia

Coragyps atratus - Black Vulture - Widespread North America, Latin America

Sarcoramphus papa - King Vulture - Mexico to N Argentina

Gymnogyps californianus - California Condor - W USA

Vultur gryphus - Andean Condor - Venezuela to S Chile & Argentina

037 Accipitridae - Kites, Hawks, Eagles, Old World Vultures, Snake Eagles, Harriers, Sparrowhawks and Goshawks, Buzzards, Sea Eagles, Hawk-Eagles - IOC 2.5 - 2010

Aviceda cuculoides - African Cuckoo-Hawk - W, C, SC, SE Africa
Aviceda madagascariensis - Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk - Madagascar
Aviceda jerdoni - Jerdon's Baza - Widespread Asia
Aviceda subcristata - Pacific Baza - Widespread Australasia
Aviceda leuphotes - Black Baza - Widespread Asia

Leptodon cayanensis - Grey-headed Kite - EC Mexico to N Argentina
Leptodon forbesi - White-collared Kite - NE Brazil

Chondrohierax uncinatus - Hook-billed Kite - S Texas to N Argentina
Chondrohierax wilsonii - Cuban Kite - E Cuba - Split from C. uncinatus

Henicopernis longicauda - Long-tailed Honey Buzzard - New Guinea
Henicopernis infuscatus - Black Honey Buzzard - New Britain

Pernis apivorus - European Honey Buzzard - W Eurasia - Africa
Pernis ptilorhynchus - Crested Honey Buzzard - E Europe, Widespread Eurasia, Asia Asia
Pernis celebensis - Barred Honey Buzzard - Sulawesi
Pernis steerei - Philippine Honey Buzzard - Philippines - Split from P. celebensis

Lophoictinia isura - Square-tailed Kite - Australia

Hamirostra melanosternon - Black-breasted Buzzard - Australia

Elanoides forficatus - Swallow-tailed Kite - S USA to NE Argentina

Macheiramphus alcinus - Bat Hawk - Widespread Africa, Asia in Africa, Burma to Borneo

Gampsonyx swainsonii - Pearl Kite - N, Amazonia, South America, also W Nicaragua

Elanus caeruleus - Black-winged Kite - Widespread Africa, Asia
Elanus axillaris - Black-shouldered Kite - Australia
Elanus leucurus - White-tailed Kite - S, W USA to C Argentina
Elanus scriptus - Letter-winged Kite - Australia

Chelictinia riocourii - Scissor-tailed Kite - E, C, W Africa

Rostrhamus sociabilis - Snail Kite - S Florida & Caribbean to NE Argentina

Helicolestes hamatus - Slender-billed Kite - E Panama through Amazonia

Harpagus bidentatus - Double-toothed Kite - E Mexico to SE Brazil
Harpagus diodon - Rufous-thighed Kite - E Amazonia, SE South America

Ictinia mississippiensis - Mississippi Kite - SE, C North America - SC South America
Ictinia plumbea - Plumbeous Kite - NE Mexico to N Argentina

Milvus milvus - Red Kite - Europe
Milvus migrans - Black Kite - Widespread Eurasia, Africa, Asia, Australasia - incl M. aegyptius Yellow Billed Kite

Haliastur sphenurus - Whistling Kite - Widespread Australasia
Haliastur indus - Brahminy Kite - Pakistan to N Australia

Haliaeetus leucogaster - White-bellied Sea Eagle - India to Tasmania
Haliaeetus sanfordi - Sanford's Sea Eagle - Solomon Islands - New name
Haliaeetus vocifer - African Fish Eagle - Widespread Africa
Haliaeetus vociferoides - Madagascar Fish Eagle - Madagascar
Haliaeetus leucoryphus - Pallas's Fish Eagle - C, Eurasia, also N India
Haliaeetus albicilla - White-tailed Eagle - Widespread Eurasia
Haliaeetus leucocephalus - Bald Eagle - Widespread North America, also NW Mexico
Haliaeetus pelagicus - Steller's Sea Eagle - NE Eurasia

Icthyophaga humilis - Lesser Fish Eagle - Widespread Asia
Icthyophaga ichthyaetus - Grey-headed Fish Eagle - Widespread Asia

Gypohierax angolensis - Palm-nut Vulture - W, C, SC, SE Africa

Gypaetus barbatus - Bearded Vulture - N, E, S Africa; C, SW Asia

Neophron percnopterus - Egyptian Vulture - W Africa to India, S Spain to C Asia

Necrosyrtes monachus - Hooded Vulture - Widespread Africa

Gyps africanus - White-backed Vulture - Widespread Africa
Gyps bengalensis - White-rumped Vulture - Iran through Southeast Asia
Gyps indicus - Indian Vulture - SE Pakistan, S India
Gyps tenuirostris - Slender-billed Vulture - Himalayas through Southeast Asia
Gyps rueppellii - Rüppell's Vulture - E, C, W Africa
Gyps himalayensis - Himalayan Vulture - Himalayas
Gyps fulvus - Griffon Vulture - N Africa, SW Europe, Africa, Eurasia, also N India
Gyps coprotheres - Cape Vulture - S Africa

Sarcogyps calvus - Red-headed Vulture - Widespread Asia

Trigonoceps occipitalis - White-headed Vulture - Widespread Africa - Was Aegypius

Aegypius monachus - Cinereous Vulture - SW, C Eurasia - N Africa, India, China

Torgos tracheliotus - Lappet-faced Vulture - Widespread Africa, also Arabian Peninsula - Was Aegypius

Circaetus gallicus - Short-toed Snake Eagle - W, C Europe, India - E, C, W Africa
Circaetus beaudouini - Beaudouin's Snake Eagle - C, W Africa
Circaetus pectoralis - Black-chested Snake Eagle - E, SC, S Africa
Circaetus cinereus - Brown Snake Eagle - Widespread Africa
Circaetus fasciolatus - Southern Banded Snake Eagle - S, SE Africa
Circaetus cinerascens - Western Banded Snake Eagle - W, C, E, SC Africa

Terathopius ecaudatus - Bateleur - Widespread Africa

Spilornis cheela - Crested Serpent Eagle - Widespread Asia, including one form on Great Nicobar Is (P Rasmussen)
Spilornis minimus - Central Nicobar Serpent Eagle - C Nicobar Islands - Was Nicobar Serpent Eagle
Spilornis klossi - Great Nicobar Serpent Eagle - Great Nicobar Island - Split from S. minimus
Spilornis kinabaluensis - Mountain Serpent Eagle - Borneo
Spilornis rufipectus - Sulawesi Serpent Eagle - Sulawesi
Spilornis holospilus - Philippine Serpent Eagle - Philippines
Spilornis elgini - Andaman Serpent Eagle - Andaman Islands

Dryotriorchis spectabilis - Congo Serpent Eagle - W, C Africa

Eutriorchis astur - Madagascar Serpent Eagle - Madagascar

Circus aeruginosus - Western Marsh Harrier - W, WC Eurasia - Africa, India
Circus spilonotus - Eastern Marsh Harrier - E Eurasia - E Asia
Circus spilothorax - Papuan Harrier - C, E New Guinea - Split from Eastern Marsh Harrier C. spilonotus
Circus approximans - Swamp Harrier - Widespread Australasia
Circus ranivorus - African Marsh Harrier - E, S Africa
Circus maillardi - Reunion Harrier - La Réunion - Was Malagasy Marsh Harrier
Circus macrosceles - Malagasy Harrier - Madagascar, Comoro Is - Split from C. maillardi
Circus buffoni - Long-winged Harrier - N, EC, SE South America
Circus assimilis - Spotted Harrier - Widespread Australasia
Circus maurus - Black Harrier - S Africa
Circus cyaneus - Northern Harrier - Widespread N America, Eurasia (Hen Harrier) - C America, Asia.
Circus cinereus - Cinereous Harrier - W, S South America
Circus macrourus - Pallid Harrier - C Eurasia - Africa, Asia
Circus melanoleucos - Pied Harrier - E Eurasia - Asia
Circus pygargus - Montagu's Harrier - W, C Eurasia - Africa, India

Polyboroides typus - African Harrier-Hawk - Widespread Africa
Polyboroides radiatus - Madagascar Harrier-Hawk - Madagascar

Melierax metabates - Dark Chanting Goshawk - Widespread Africa
Melierax poliopterus - Eastern Chanting Goshawk - E Africa
Melierax canorus - Pale Chanting Goshawk - S Africa

Micronisus gabar - Gabar Goshawk - Widespread Africa

Accipiter poliogaster - Grey-bellied Hawk - N, C, SE South America
Accipiter trivirgatus - Crested Goshawk - Widespread Asia
Accipiter griseiceps - Sulawesi Goshawk - Sulawesi
Accipiter toussenelii - Red-chested Goshawk - W, WC Africa
Accipiter tachiro - African Goshawk - E, SC, S Africa
Accipiter castanilius - Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk - WC Africa
Accipiter badius - Shikra - Widespread Africa, Asia, also S Europe
Accipiter butleri - Nicobar Sparrowhawk - Nicobar Islands
Accipiter brevipes - Levant Sparrowhawk - SW Eurasia - C Africa
Accipiter soloensis - Chinese Sparrowhawk - E Eurasia - E Asia
Accipiter francesiae - Frances's Sparrowhawk - Madagascar region
Accipiter trinotatus - Spot-tailed Sparrowhawk - Sulawesi
Accipiter novaehollandiae - Grey Goshawk - Australia, Tasmania
Accipiter hiogaster - Variable Goshawk - Moluccas to New Guinea and Solomon Is. Australasia - Split from A. novaehollandiae
Accipiter fasciatus - Brown Goshawk - Widespread Australasia
Accipiter melanochlamys - Black-mantled Goshawk - New Guinea
Accipiter albogularis - Pied Goshawk - Solomon Islands
Accipiter haplochrous - White-bellied Goshawk - New Caledonia
Accipiter rufitorques - Fiji Goshawk - Fiji Islands
Accipiter henicogrammus - Moluccan Goshawk - Moluccas
Accipiter luteoschistaceus - Slaty-mantled Goshawk - New Britain
Accipiter imitator - Imitator Goshawk - Solomon Islands
Accipiter poliocephalus - Grey-headed Goshawk - New Guinea
Accipiter princeps - New Britain Goshawk - New Britain
Accipiter superciliosus - Tiny Hawk - Nicaragua to N Argentina
Accipiter collaris - Semicollared Hawk - Venezuela to Peru
Accipiter erythropus - Red-thighed Sparrowhawk - W, WC Africa
Accipiter minullus - Little Sparrowhawk - S, SC, E Africa
Accipiter gularis - Japanese Sparrowhawk - C, E Eurasia - E Asia
Accipiter virgatus - Besra - Widespread Asia
Accipiter nanus - Dwarf Sparrowhawk - Sulawesi
Accipiter erythrauchen - Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk - Moluccas
Accipiter cirrocephalus - Collared Sparrowhawk - Australia, New Guinea
Accipiter brachyurus - New Britain Sparrowhawk - New Britain - New name
Accipiter rhodogaster - Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk - Sulawesi
Accipiter madagascariensis - Madagascar Sparrowhawk - Madagascar
Accipiter ovampensis - Ovambo Sparrowhawk - NE, SC Africa - C, W Africa
Accipiter nisus - Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Widespread Eurasia - Asia, NE Africa
Accipiter rufiventris - Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk - E, SE, S Africa
Accipiter striatus - Sharp-shinned Hawk - Widespread North America, Middle America
Accipiter chionogaster - White-breasted Hawk - S Mexico to Nicaragua - Split from A. striatus
Accipiter ventralis - Plain-breasted Hawk - Venezuela to W Bolivia
Accipiter erythronemius - Rufous-thighed Hawk - SC, SE South America
Accipiter cooperii - Cooper's Hawk - S Canada to Honduras
Accipiter gundlachi - Gundlach's Hawk - Cuba
Accipiter bicolor - Bicolored Hawk - S Mexico to N Argentina
Accipiter chilensis - Chilean Hawk - SW South America - Split from A. bicolor
Accipiter melanoleucus - Black Sparrowhawk - Widespread Africa
Accipiter henstii - Henst's Goshawk - Madagascar
Accipiter gentilis - Northern Goshawk - Widespread North America, Middle America, Eurasia
Accipiter meyerianus - Meyer's Goshawk - New Guinea, New Britain, Solomon Islands

Erythrotriorchis buergersi - Chestnut-shouldered Goshawk - New Guinea
Erythrotriorchis radiatus - Red Goshawk - N, E Australia

Megatriorchis doriae - Doria's Goshawk - New Guinea

Urotriorchis macrourus - Long-tailed Hawk - W, WC Africa

Kaupifalco monogrammicus - Lizard Buzzard - Widespread Africa

Butastur rufipennis - Grasshopper Buzzard - E, C, W Africa
Butastur teesa - White-eyed Buzzard - Pakistan to Burma
Butastur liventer - Rufous-winged Buzzard - Southeast Asia, Java, Asia, also Sulawesi
Butastur indicus - Grey-faced Buzzard - E Eurasia - Southeast Asia

Geranospiza caerulescens - Crane Hawk - Mexico to Uruguay

Leucopternis plumbeus - Plumbeous Hawk - Colombia to Peru
Leucopternis schistaceus - Slate-colored Hawk - Amazonia
Leucopternis princeps - Barred Hawk - Costa Rica to N Ecuador
Leucopternis melanops - Black-faced Hawk - N Amazonia
Leucopternis kuhli - White-browed Hawk - S Amazonia
Leucopternis lacernulatus - White-necked Hawk - E Brazil
Leucopternis semiplumbeus - Semiplumbeous Hawk - Honduras to NW Ecuador
Leucopternis albicollis - White Hawk - S Mexico through Amazonia
Leucopternis occidentalis - Grey-backed Hawk - W Ecuador, NW Peru
Leucopternis polionotus - Mantled Hawk - E Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay

Buteogallus aequinoctialis - Rufous Crab Hawk - N, E coasts
Buteogallus anthracinus - Common Black Hawk - SW USA to NW South America - Buteogallus anthracinus includes Mangrove Black Hawk B. subtilus as ssp
Buteogallus gundlachii - Cuban Black Hawk - Cuba - Buteogallus gundlachii now split from B. anthracinus
Buteogallus urubitinga - Great Black Hawk - Mexico to N Argentina
Buteogallus meridionalis - Savanna Hawk - Panama to N Argentina

Parabuteo unicinctus - Harris's Hawk - SW USA to S Argentina & Chile

Busarellus nigricollis - Black-collared Hawk - C Mexico to N Argentina

Geranoaetus melanoleucus - Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle - Venezuela to S Chile, SE South America

Harpyhaliaetus solitarius - Montane Solitary Eagle - Mexico to W, N South America
Harpyhaliaetus coronatus - Crowned Solitary Eagle - SE, SC South America

Buteo nitidus - Grey Hawk - SW USA to NC Argentina - NB name
Buteo magnirostris - Roadside Hawk - Mexico to NE Argentina
Buteo lineatus - Red-shouldered Hawk - SE, C, North America, also NE Mexico
Buteo ridgwayi - Ridgway's Hawk - Hispaniola
Buteo platypterus - Broad-winged Hawk - E, C North America - Caribbean, Latin America
Buteo leucorrhous - White-rumped Hawk - Venezuela to NW Bolivia, SE South America
Buteo brachyurus - Short-tailed Hawk - E Mexico to N Argentina, Latin America, also S Florida
Buteo albigula - White-throated Hawk - Venezuela to C Chile
Buteo swainsoni - Swainson's Hawk - NW, WC North America, Middle America - SE South America
Buteo albicaudatus - White-tailed Hawk - SW USA to C Argentina
Buteo galapagoensis - Galapagos Hawk - Galápagos Islands
Buteo polyosoma - Variable Hawk - W, Southern Cone - Buteo polyosoma includes B. exsul and B. poecilochrous
Buteo albonotatus - Zone-tailed Hawk - SW USA to Paraguay
Buteo solitarius - Hawaiian Hawk - Hawaiian Islands
Buteo jamaicensis - Red-tailed Hawk - Widespread North America, Middle America
Buteo ventralis - Rufous-tailed Hawk - S South America
Buteo buteo - Common Buzzard - Widespread Eurasia - Africa, Asia
Buteo japonicus - Eastern Buzzard - C, S Siberia, Mongolia, NE China, Japan - Split from B. buteo
Buteo refectus - Himalayan Buzzard - Himalayas - Split from B. buteo
Buteo oreophilus - Mountain Buzzard - E Africa
Buteo trizonatus - Forest Buzzard - S Africa
Buteo brachypterus - Madagascar Buzzard - Madagascar
Buteo rufinus - Long-legged Buzzard - SW, SC Eurasia, Africa - C Africa
Buteo hemilasius - Upland Buzzard - E Eurasia - N Asia
Buteo regalis - Ferruginous Hawk - W, WC North America - N Mexico
Buteo lagopus - Rough-legged Buzzard - Widespread North America, Eurasia - Was Roughleg
Buteo auguralis - Red-necked Buzzard - W, C Africa
Buteo augur - Augur Buzzard - E, SC Africa
Buteo rufofuscus - Jackal Buzzard - S Africa

Morphnus guianensis - Crested Eagle - Guatemala to NE Argentina

Harpia harpyja - Harpy Eagle - S Mexico to NE Argentina

Harpyopsis novaeguineae - Papuan Eagle - New Guinea

Pithecophaga jefferyi - Philippine Eagle - Philippines

Ictinaetus malayensis - Black Eagle - Widespread Asia

Aquila pomarina - Lesser Spotted Eagle - E Europe - Africa - 3 spotted eagles (pomarina, clanga, hastata ) from Aquila to Lophaetus
Aquila hastata - Indian Spotted Eagle - N India
Aquila clanga - Greater Spotted Eagle - NW, C, E Eurasia - SW Asia, NE Africa, Asia
Aquila rapax - Tawny Eagle - Widespread Africa, also India
Aquila nipalensis - Steppe Eagle - C Eurasia - Asia, Arabian Peninsula, Africa
Aquila adalberti - Spanish Imperial Eagle - Spain, Portugal, Eurasia, also Morocco
Aquila heliaca - Eastern Imperial Eagle - SW, C Eurasia - Asia, Arabian Peninsula, NE Africa - Was Asian Imperial Eagle
Aquila gurneyi - Gurney's Eagle - New Guinea, Moluccas
Aquila chrysaetos - Golden Eagle - Widespread North America, Middle America, Eurasia
Aquila audax - Wedge-tailed Eagle - Australia, S New Guinea
Aquila verreauxii - Verreaux's Eagle - C, E, SE, S Africa
Aquila africana - Cassin's Hawk-Eagle - W, WC Africa - Was Spizaetus to Aquila
Aquila fasciata - Bonelli's Eagle - Spain to India to S China, Eurasia, Asia, also N Africa - Was Hieraaetus to Aquila
Aquila spilogaster - African Hawk-Eagle - Widespread Africa - Was Hieraaetus to Aquila

Hieraaetus wahlbergi - Wahlberg's Eagle - Widespread Africa - Was Aquila
Hieraaetus pennatus - Booted Eagle - SW, SC Eurasia - Africa, India
Hieraaetus morphnoides - Little Eagle - Australia
Hieraaetus weiskei - Pygmy Eagle - New Guinea, Halmahera, Seram - Split from H. morphnoides, was New Guinea Hawk-Eagle
Hieraaetus ayresii - Ayres's Hawk-Eagle - Widespread Africa

Lophotriorchis kienerii - Rufous-bellied Hawk-Eagle - Asia, also Sulawesi - Was Hieraaetus

Polemaetus bellicosus - Martial Eagle - Widespread Africa

Lophaetus occipitalis - Long-crested Eagle - Widespread Africa

Nisaetus - was Spizaetus
Nisaetus cirrhatus - Crested Hawk-Eagle - Himalayas, C, S India & Sri Lanka to Greater Sundas & Philippines - includes limnaeetus as ssp
Nisaetus floris - Flores Hawk-Eagle - Lesser Sundas
Nisaetus nipalensis - Mountain Hawk-Eagle - Himalayas to Taiwan and Japan
Nisaetus kelaarti - Legge's Hawk-Eagle - Sri Lanka, SW India - Split from N. nipalensis
Nisaetus alboniger - Blyth's Hawk-Eagle - Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo
Nisaetus bartelsi - Javan Hawk-Eagle - Java
Nisaetus lanceolatus - Sulawesi Hawk-Eagle - Sulawesi
Nisaetus philippensis - Philippine Hawk-Eagle - Luzon, Philippines
Nisaetus pinskeri - Pinsker's Hawk-Eagle - Philippines, except Luzon & Palawan - Split from N. philippensis
Nisaetus nanus - Wallace's Hawk-Eagle - Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo

Spizaetus tyrannus - Black Hawk-Eagle - C Mexico to NE Argentina
Spizaetus melanoleucus - Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle - S Mexico to NE Argentina - Spizastur to Spizaetus
Spizaetus ornatus - Ornate Hawk-Eagle - SE Mexico to N Argentina
Spizaetus isidori - Black-and-chestnut Eagle - Venezuela to NW Argentina - Oroaetus to Spizaetus

Stephanoaetus coronatus - Crowned Eagle - W, C, E, SE Africa