Booted eagles (Hieraaetus pennatus) are small eagles that are comparable in size to the common buzzard. They have two distinct plumage forms: pale birds are mainly light grey with a darker head and flight feathers, while the other form has mid-brown plumage with dark grey flight feathers. The pale allele is dominant in the polymorphism of these color morphs, with 20% of the population in South Africa being the dark color morph.
Can Booted Eagles Have Black Plumage?
No, booted eagles cannot have black plumage. The booted eagle is not a black eagle, and the term “black eagle” is commonly used to refer to the Verreaux’s eagle (Aquila verreauxii), which has jet-black plumage and a gray bill.
Booted eagles have two distinct plumage forms: the pale form is mainly light grey with a darker head and flight feathers, while the dark form has mid-brown plumage with dark grey flight feathers. However, they do not have any black plumage.
Characteristics of Booted Eagles
Image source: Booted eagle By Dr. Raju Kasambe
- Size: Booted eagles are small eagles, comparable in size to the common buzzard.
- Plumage Morphs: Booted eagles have two distinct plumage forms: pale birds and dark birds.
- Pale form: Mainly light grey with a darker head and flight feathers.
- Dark form: Mid-brown plumage with dark grey flight feathers.
- Polymorphism: The pale allele is dominant in the polymorphism of these color morphs, with 20% of the population in South Africa being the dark color morph.
- Behavior: Booted eagles are typically seen in pairs or as solitary individuals, and they typically fly at relatively low heights, making them conspicuous.
- Hunting Technique: Booted eagles hunt on the wing, stooping quickly with wings folded in and feet extended.
- Prey: Booted eagles prey on small mammals, reptiles, and birds, with birds being the most common prey in Southern Africa.
- Call: Booted eagles have a shrill call that is described as kli-kli-kli.
- Conservation Status: Booted eagles are not considered vulnerable at this stage due to their very large range, but their populations are dwindling.
Differences Between Booted Eagles and Verreaux’s Eagles
| Characteristic | Booted Eagle | Verreaux’s Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Plumage Color | Pale or mid-brown with dark grey flight feathers | Jet-black |
| Bill Color | Not specified | Gray |
| Size | Smaller, comparable to common buzzard | Larger |
| Common Name | Not referred to as “black eagle” | Commonly referred to as “black eagle” |
Conclusion
In summary, booted eagles (Hieraaetus pennatus) cannot have black plumage. They have two distinct plumage forms: pale birds and dark birds, but none of them are black. The term “black eagle” is commonly used to refer to the Verreaux’s eagle (Aquila verreauxii), which has jet-black plumage and a gray bill. Booted eagles are small eagles with unique characteristics, and their populations are dwindling, but they are not considered vulnerable at this stage.
