Sunday 12 July 2015

1st portuguese record of Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis

The 1st portuguese record of Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis was made at Ponta da erva, Lisboa 08.07.2015 by Pedro Fernandes and Samantha Zaza, and 4 days after at the same location 2cy Steppe Eagle was relocated again at the same area, by a large group of observers.

Photos from today (12/07/2015)































 2cy Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis showing tthe wide pale underwing lesser coverts




























Here sowing upperwing pattern with wide white rump and pale crescents on primaries, second photo showing glide posture with wings held dowwards (black vulture fashion).






A great video from Frederico Morais (08/07/2015)







In Europe only found in Russia north and north-west of the Caspian Sea. Formerly also nested in Moldova and Romania but it is long extinct in those countries. Also gone from the Ukraine since the 1980s [Mebs & Schmidt 2006]. Outside of Europe the species is found in the steppes of central Asia eastwards to Mongolia, eastern Kazakhstan, Tibet and northeastern China [GRIN 2009]. During winter in Africa and southwestern Asia."
http://www.europeanraptors.org/raptors/steppe_eagle.html