Indian Spotted Eagle

The Indian spotted eagle, Clanga hastata, is a majestic bird of prey that graces the skies of South Asia. With a robust body measuring about 60 cm in length and a wingspan reaching 150 cm, it is a sight to behold. The broad head and the widest gape among its kin are distinctive features. This eagle sports a lighter plumage compared to its relatives, and its darker iris stands out against the feathers, a reverse of the pattern seen in northern spotted eagles.

Identification Tips

Adult Indian spotted eagles can be distinguished from the greater spotted eagle by their lighter coloration, darker eyes, and preferred habitats. Juveniles, after three to four months, exhibit a glossy brown plumage with creamy tips on the head and neck feathers, creating a spotted effect. The upper tail coverts are light brown with white, giving a barred look, and the median coverts are adorned with large creamy spots. As they mature, the birds molt into a darker shade with fewer spots. Interestingly, some older juveniles may not exhibit strong spotting, and they lack the creamy buff nape patch characteristic of the juvenile lesser spotted eagle.

Habitat

The Indian spotted eagle thrives in the agricultural landscapes and tropical dry forests of its native range.

Distribution

This eagle calls Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, and Nepal its home, soaring above these lands with a regal presence.

Behaviour

The Indian spotted eagle has a unique evolutionary history, having diverged from its common ancestor with the lesser and greater spotted eagles around 3.6 million years ago. This divergence likely occurred in the region of present-day Afghanistan, as advancing glaciers and deserts in Central Asia during the onset of the last ice age separated northern and southern lineages.

Conservation status

The Indian spotted eagle is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Conservation efforts are essential to ensure the survival of this remarkable bird.

Systematics, taxonomy and evolution

Once grouped with the genus Aquila, the Indian spotted eagle has been reclassified into its own genus, Clanga, reflecting its distinct characteristics and evolutionary lineage. This reclassification is supported by morphological, behavioral, ecological, and DNA sequence data, underscoring the unique identity of this species within the Accipitridae family.