Species:

Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)

Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

Change species:
Main Images:
Length (cm):
62-67
58-65
Wingspan (cm):
185-195
105-112
Weight (gram):
1200-2200
500-800
Size group:
Bigger than a crow
Crow-size
Main Texts:
Appearance:

Only eagle in WP with whitish underparts and dark hood and chest. Underparts variably barred with 2-3 tail-bands, but leaves an overall pale impression. May be confused with Osprey, but outer wing is much broader and carpal patches is absent. Dark individuals may resemble Honey Buzzards, but note 6 fingers and lack of carpal patches. Pale individuals may show pale throat and chest. Soars on flat or marginally raised wings, with hand stretched slightly forward. Tail slender with straight cut end and sharp corners.

Sound:

Quite vocal, especially at breeding ground. A wailing "keeeeaaaaaa" with marked register breaks, or a soft "pjuu-pjuu-pjuu". Male purer and more resonant than female.

Call:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Marco Dragonetti, Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Small, crepuscular, stocky heron with short legs. Adults unmistakable with black cap, black back, grey wings and white underparts. Immature less distinct, and may be confused with immature Squacco Heron, Little Bittern or Bittern. Differs from all these in distinct white spots covering both wings and back. Belly and breast are more widely covered in coarse streaking, not just the sides or upper chest. Legs just barely protrudes behind tail in flight.

Sound:

Most commonly hear call is a nasal, soft croaking "roack", like cross between Raven and frog.

Flight call:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

Similar species (image):
Similar species (sound):
Silhouette Group:
Raptors
Silhouette
Heron-like
Silhouette
Several different images of the species
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Several different sounds of the species