Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Indian Spotted Eagle (Clanga hastata)
Indian Spotted Eagle

Indian Spotted Eagle

Clanga hastata

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.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Indian Spotted Eagles on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Kites, Hawks, Eagles

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Paul F
Very good database
Highly recommend. It great that this app shows you male Vs female variations when posting. Very good database I'm really impressed.
Patricia L
Very encouraging birding app
Easy to use, fun to see progress and encouraging to receive feedback from other users.
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
Ellesse_W
Learning Birding with Birda
I’m relatively new to birding as a hobby, and Birda is a great way to keep track off all the species I see. I’m still working on my ID skills, but the app is great for figuring out potential species, and the online community is so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend Birda to both early and serious birders! 🐦
Dunners12345
Great App
Great app to use for logging and communicating with others who are interested in birds
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
Foxgirl100
Great app for beginner twitchers
I’ve had a passion of photographing birds for a long time now but have only just gotten into proper birdwatching, and this app is brilliant for those just getting started. There is a great sense of community among users and the app is very easy to use and professional. Awesome app altogether
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
SW H
Wonderful App
Birda is my go to app for keeping records of my bird sightings and sessions. It has fantastic information which is great at aiding identification. With all the updates that are coming in the new year, this app is something special.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.