Little Eagle

45-55 cm; span to 1.30 m. Female larger. Sturdy small eagle with broad head and subtle facial pattern: blackish crown, eyebrow and cheeks and short black crest on nape; long, closely feathered legs and square-cut tail; pale band across upperwing when perched and in flight. Pale Morph: in flight, broad, pale diagonal bar across underwing separates rufous wing linings from dark, triangular secondaries and joins white patch inside dark wingtip; square-cut tail finely barred darker. Dark: dark sandy brown or reddish brown wing linings leave a dark, barred triangle on trailing edge, cut off by pale, barred bases to primaries. Juvenile: brighter buff (pale morph) or brighter rufous (dark morph) than respective adults. Singles, pairs: flies steadily, with easy, slow wingbeats, or quick beats and level glides. Soars in tight circles on flat wings, 'fingertips' upturned, tail fanned and square-cut; head and neck extend well forward of wing; often glances up over shoulder. Territorial males perform high, linked, 'fish-hooks' display on closed wings, with quick upshoots, uttering quick, disyllabic whistle (see Voice). More than most raptors, attracts mobbing magpies, woodswallows, etc.