Migratory Raptors we see

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Steppe Eagle

A large eagle with rich brown plumage, wide wings, and seven well-splayed “fingers” at the wingtip. Adults are entirely dark brown; juveniles and immatures at rest show a distinctive wide white band bordered with black on the wing. In flight, this transforms into a white traverse band on the underwing that forms the base of the primary and secondary feathers. Birds take about four years to attain adult plumage. Frequents open grasslands, deserts, scrub, wetlands, and mountains, and is a regular carcass feeder along with vultures.

Eastern Imperial Eagle

Very large; dark-brown body of adult contrasts with pale head and nape. Similar to Golden Eagle but with a shorter tail and white shoulders that can be hard to spot. The underwings are dark with low contrast. Immatures are strikingly different, sandy brown with prominent streaks and a pale rump contrasting with the dark tail and dark flight feathers. Breeds in forested areas intermixed with steppes and agricultural areas, where often seen perched on pylons. Winters in open habitats, including cropland.

Lesser Spotted Eagle

Medium-sized, compact eagle. Adults are conspicuously two toned when perched: dark flight feathers contrast with paler body. Head and bill small for an eagle. Juveniles quite different, with bold white bars on the back, wings, and pale uppertail. Smaller and paler than the similar Greater Spotted Eagle. Look for the diagnostic double (not single) white "commas" on the wrist of the underwing. Normally found in open woodland or forest edges but can be found around low intensity farmland areas, sometimes perching prominently.

Greater Spotted Eagle

Adults are large and quite uniform dark brown eagles with very broad wings and short tails. Single white "comma" mark at the wrist of the underwing. Similar to the Lesser Spotted Eagle, which is smaller, paler, and more contrasting. Juveniles are more boldly patterned with numerous prominent dirty white spots on the back and upper wings. More tied to forests than Lesser Spotted Eagle, but still near rivers and bogs. Frequents humanmade habitats more often in winter, such as lakes, rubbish dumps, and reservoirs.

Booted eagle

A medium-sized buzzard-like raptor but still unmistakably eagle-shaped, with long fingered primary flight feathers, a long square-shaped tail, and feathered legs (boots) prominent when perched. Two color morphs: pale morphs are distinctively two-toned and contrasting, whereas dark birds can be confused with Black Kites and Marsh Harriers. Look for distinctive pale "landing lights" on the shoulders when viewed head-on. Found in forested country with open patches, often in hilly areas where it frequently soars with wings slightly pushed forward.

White-tailed Eagle

Massive raptor with rather long, heavy bill; broad, plank-like wings; and relatively short, graduated tail. Looks like a flying barn door and soars with wings rather level (not slightly raised like Golden Eagle). Plumage dark overall. Adult has paler brown head and body, white tail, yellowish bill. Immature starts with mostly brown tail streaked white, blackish bill; attains fully white tail in about 4 years. Generally uncommon, mainly found along seacoasts and larger rivers (feeds predominantly on fish).

Short-toed Snake-Eagle

Large, slightly ungainly raptor with long and very broad wings, a shortish tail, and a conspicuously big head. Pale belly and underwings contrast with the darker head in most adults, but juveniles have pale heads. All age groups have a tendency to look a bit disheveled. On perched birds look for the owl-like face and unfeathered legs. Hunts over open areas, spending lots of time hovering with rowing wingbeats into the wind.

Egyption Vulture

Odd-looking, pale, medium-sized vulture with a bare, solemn-looking yellow face. The bill is narrow with a black tip. In flight, the deep-fingered black flight feathers contrasting with white inner feathers may recall White Stork, but the tail is wedge shaped. Juveniles are dirty brown with bare gray faces. An inhabitant of open or semiopen areas, nesting on cliffs and less frequently in trees. Scavenges at rubbish dumps in addition to carcasses, but sadly is in decline over much of its wide range.

Eurasian Griffon Vulture

Massive tricolored vulture with whitish head and neck, pale brown body, and contrasting dark flight feathers. Juveniles similar but with a pale brown rather than white neck ruff. Nests in colonies on cliff ledges; often seen in loose flocks soaring over valleys and mountainsides but always in search of updrafts and thermals. Still the commonest vulture over much of its breeding range. Some populations are resident while others are highly migratory.

Hen Harrier

Medium-sized harrier, flies with wings held in a V-shape, low over open fields and marshes, listening for rodents lurking below. Distinctive foraging behavior and conspicuous white patch on rump in all plumages. Five long primary ‘finger tips’ prominent in flight. Females and immatures are warm brown with streaky breasts. Adult male has plain mid-gray wings with black wingtips and paler belly.

Western Marsh Harrier

Gangly raptor with long wings and tail; local in marshes and wetlands with extensive reed beds. Mainly seen in flight, quartering fairly low over marshes, with wings raised in shallow V. Commonest plumage dark brown overall with variable creamy cap, throat, and narrow leading edge to wing. Brightest adult males have tricolored upperwings, grayish tail, pale head and breast contrasting with rusty-brown belly. Extremely similar to closely related Eastern Marsh-Harrier; males of that species are darker-headed and browner-chested, and females are warmer brown and streakier on the chest, without Eurasian's discrete white 'cap' and dark line through the eye.

Common Buzzard

Commonest large hawk in many areas, often seen soaring. Favors woodland and forest edge, farmland with hedges; locally in towns with larger trees and wooded parks. Also hunts over open country, especially moorland and rough grassland. Mainly seen as singles or pairs, circling over fields and woodlands with wings slightly raised. Rather stocky hawk with broad wings and fairly short, square-tipped tail (rounded when spread). Plumage variable but typically has paler breast band, fine dark tail barring (broad dark tail tip on adult).

Long–legged Buzzard

A large, long-winged buzzard which may recall a small eagle in size. Variable plumage with three color morphs. All have obvious dark carpal patches at the wrist of the wing. Juveniles lack the adult’s prominent black trailing edge to the wings. Often hunts from a prominent perch, or sits on the ground and scans for prey. A species of open steppe and desert country, sometimes in more wooded areas but always near big open spaces. Compare with similar Common and Upland Buzzards, as well as Rough-legged Hawk; note long-winged structure, size, and wings held in “V” in soaring flight.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Fairly small, long-tailed hawk with broad, rounded wings (not pointed like kestrels). Soars occasionally, but more often seen in quick hunting flight chasing small birds, or perched quietly in shade. Note golden-yellow eyes, barred underparts (barring grayish on female, rusty on male). Juvenile brownish above through first year. Smaller and much less bulky than Northern Goshawk, and with horizontally barred instead of vertically striped underparts. Occurs in woodland, forest, farmland, and urban areas with hedges and wooded patches; sometimes hunts in gardens.

Northern Goshawk

Powerfully-built forest-dwelling hawk, uncommon across much of range. Adults are distinctive if seen well: overall gray, paler below, blackish crown and cheek, white eyebrow, and red eye. Immature very similar to Eurasian Sparrowhawk and Cooper's Hawk, but larger and broader-winged with a more prominent white eyebrow, heavier streaking below (Eurasian Sparrowhawk barred below), and typically streaked undertail coverts. In most suburban areas, Cooper's and Sparrowhawk are more likely; goshawk typically requires extensive mature forest. Very aggressive around the nest. Feeds on large prey such as hares and grouse.

Eurasian Kestrel

Small falcon with distinctive male plumage: gray head, rusty back, gray tail with broad black tip. Female is brownish above, with barring on the back, wings, and tail. Note rather pointed wingtips (unlike rounded wings of Accipiter hawks), and distinct dark spotting on the breast. Inhabits open and lightly wooded country, farmlands, grasslands, and heathlands; often seen over grassy areas beside roads and at airports. Perches on wires and posts, and typically hunts by hovering, at times fairly high overhead. Very similar to Lesser Kestrel.

Eurasian Hobby

Streamlined long-winged falcon. Note gray upperparts with plain tail, boldly streaked underparts with rusty leggings and vent. Swift-like; flight more graceful and aerodynamic than Eurasian Kestrel. Compare with larger, stockier, shorter-tailed Peregrine Falcon. Favors open woodland, heathland, and farmland with stands of trees; often hunts over nearby water bodies and marshes. Hunts in the air, catching dragonflies, swallows, and other birds, which it sometimes eats on the wing.

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