Scientific name: Hieraaetus pennatus (J. F. Gmelin, 1788)
Bird group: Birds-of-prey
Field characters. Length 45-53 cm; wingspan 110-132 cm. Small long-tailed eagle, the size of a Common Buzzard. Plumage dimorphic, the light morph being the most common form: white below, with black flight feathers and uniform pale cinnamon, square tail; upperparts dark brown with broad buff band across wing-coverts and scapulars; primaries darker. Dark phase is uniform black-brown, except for pale tail and innermost primaries. Tarsi heavily feathered; feet yellow. Soars on almost flat wings; flight action much swifter and more agile than Buzzard. Juveniles similar to adults. Dark phase may resemble Black Kite but lacks forked tail.
Voice. Very vocal in breeding season, usually producing a shrill, melodious "kee-kee-kee", or "pipee pi-pi-pi-pi".
Distribution. Rare summer visitor which is somewhat more common in Spain.
Habitat. Frequents open wooded country near hills; a forest bird preferring mixed stands of deciduous and coniferous trees interrupted by scrub, heathland, and grassland.
Food. Hunts for prey by agile pursuit through bushes and by soaring over countryside, followed by swoop at prey on ground. Food items are small to medium-sized birds, lizards, and small mammals.