Steppe Eagle

Afrikaans name: Steppe-arend

Steppe Eagle

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Aquila nipalensis

With a length of up to 75 cm and a wingspan of up to 2.6 metres this is definitely one large and magnificent eagle. The Steppe Eagle is a summer visitor to South Africa and is only likely to be seen between October and February. They migrate back to Europe and Asia and breed in the northern hemisphere summer.

The Steppe Eagle is somewhat similar to the Tawny Eagle which is more common in South Africa. It is dark brown with yellow on the bill. It has a dark eye, and the yellow gape of its bill extends to behind the eye. Its feet are yellow.

The Steppe Eagle has a limited range while on its summer visit to our country. It is found in a narrow band from the extreme north-east of KwaZulu-Natal, through Kruger National Park, and along our northern border as far as the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park.

Despite being a seemingly powerful bird, it mostly feeds on small things such as termites and Red-billed Queleas. It will also eat carrion and sometimes catches small mammals. It often eats on the ground, particularly when feeding on termites. The Steppe Eagle may sometimes be seen in large flocks, particularly if there is an abundance of food in the area.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	135	Aquila nipalensis orientalis
2nd	135	Aquila nipalensis
3rd	135	Aquila nipalensis
4th	135	Aquila nipalensis
5th	133	Aquila nipalensis
6th	133	Aquila nipalensis
7th	386	Aquila nipalensis

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	135	Steppe Eagle
2nd	135	Steppe Eagle
3rd	135	Steppe Eagle
4th	135	Steppe Eagle
5th	133	Steppe Eagle
6th	133	Steppe Eagle
7th	386	Steppe Eagle

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	135	Steppe-arend
2nd	135	Steppe-arend
3rd	135	Steppe-arend
4th	135	Steppe-arend
5th	133	Steppe-arend
6th	133	Steppe-arend
7th	386	Steppe-arend

References and further reading

Vanishing Eagles - Author: Philip Burton - Published: 1987 - Page: 72

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 60

The Status & Conservation of Birds of Prey in the Transvaal - Author: W. Tarboton and D. Allan - Published: 1984 - Page: 35

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 15

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 53

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 92

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 98

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 114

Sasol Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands - Author: Alan and Meg Kemp - Published: 1998 - Page: 82

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 119

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 91

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 98

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 164

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 158

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 164

Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 76

Eagles, Hawks & Falcons of the World - Author: Leslie Brown and Dean Amadon - Published: 1989 - Page: 644

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 56

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 18

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 47

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 70

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 58

Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 100

Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1985 - Page: 73

Birds of Prey of the World - Author: Friedhelm Weick - Published: 1980 - Page: 124

An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Published: 1974 - Page: 103

An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Published: 1974 - Page: 14

African Birds of Prey - Author: Leslie Brown - Published: 1970 - Page: 108

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds