Greater spotted eagle in Polissia
Clanga clanga
Red Data Book of Ukraine: rare
The greater spotted eagle is a medium-sized eagle; adults are almost uniformly dark brown, young birds have rows of pale spots on their wings. In flight only an experienced observer can tell it apart from the lesser spotted eagle.
The greater spotted eagle nests in wet forests near large bogs and floodplains. Polissia is one of the few areas of Europe where it still breeds, in particular the valleys of the Prypiat and its tributaries. It also occurs in Belarusian Polesie.
The bird hunts rodents, frogs and waterfowl over bogs and meadows. It migrates south for the winter. Greater and lesser spotted eagles sometimes form mixed pairs, which complicates counting and protecting the species.
The greater spotted eagle is listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine and is one of the rarest birds of prey in Europe. The main threats are bog drainage and the felling of old forests, so nest sites are not disclosed.
When to see: April–September
Where it was seen in Polissia
Observations from the open scientific database GBIF since 1990. Locations are shown approximately, to within 10 km.
More in “Birds”
Lesser spotted eagle
A small eagle that nests in Polissia's forests near meadows and hunts rodents and frogs.
Eurasian eagle-owl
Europe's largest owl, with orange eyes and feathered “ears”, a dweller of Polissia's remote forests.
Tawny owl
Polissia's commonest forest owl, whose drawn-out hooting can be heard in old forests and parks.
Aquatic warbler
A small warbler that nests only in sedge fens; the bogs of Polissia are one of its main places in the world.