Species:

Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)

Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca)

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Length (cm):
62-67
51-58
Wingspan (cm):
185-195
90-99
Weight (gram):
1200-2200
1100-2000
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:

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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:

White secondaries the most striking feature in all plumages. Generally heavy built with large bill, heavy head, thick neck and short tail. Male: black with white crescent below eye and partly orange bill. Female sooty black with variable light patches at lore and cheek. Flaps it's wings with a raised head when on water. Dives without jumping and with wings slightly open. Swimming birds may not always show white secondaries. Tends to form less dense flocks than Common Scoter, often with birds in single file.

Sound:

Seldom heard. Calls: Short accented "tup tup tup" and a shivering "gahhahahaha".

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
Duck-like
Silhouette
Several different images of the species
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Several different sounds of the species