Lesser Spotted Eagle

Aquila pomarina

(A. p. pomarina)

Armenian Name:	Փոքր ենթաարծիվ
Species Status:	Threatened Species - Species of Special Concern

See Plate 7 for Lesser Spotted Eagle and other similar species See Plate 14 for Lesser Spotted Eagle and other similar species in flight

Flight Characteristics:	From above, broad wings show whitish patch at base of primaries and contrastingly pale brown forewing; from below, shows paler coverts than flight feathers, and usually two whitish crescents at base of outerwing. Juvenile has pale rear edge to the wing and tail, and small spots on upperwing coverts forming one narrow bar and one indistinct bar. Soars with outer half of wings slightly lowered. Glides with wings slightly arched and outerwing lowered. Some are indistinguishable from Greater Spotted Eagle, but usually differs by paler wing coverts contrasting with darker flight feathers, and two pale crescents on underwing.
Resident Status:	Breeding bird
Abundance:	Uncommon
Length:	60-65 cm, Wing Span:134-159 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 47.
Description:	Large dark broad-winged raptor.
Adult:	Brown with darker mantle contrasting with paler upperwing coverts. In flight, shows small white patches on upperwing and at base of tail; wing coverts are lighter than flight feathers both above and below.
Juvenile:	Darker overall with pale reddish patch on nape, pale undertail coverts and tip of tail. Small spots form 1-2 narrow white rows on upperwings.
Similar Species:	Differs from Greater Spotted Eagle by paler wing coverts and darker flight feathers on underwing. Juvenile also differs from juvenile Greater Spotted Eagle by less prominent spots above and pale patch on nape.
Habitat:	Hilly terrain, forests with clearings and cliffs, wetlands. During migration, semideserts, steppes, and mountain passes.
Food:	Small vertebrates, insects.
Nest:	Large platform of branches in tree.
Eggs:	64 mm, 2, white, red-brown spots.