Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis

Once treated as a subspecies to the Tawny Eagle by some, the larger Steppe Eagle is now treated as an entirely separate species. Its range is from south-eastern Europe through part of Russia and Central Asia to Mongolia. It winters in Africa and India.

Like the smaller Tawny Eagle, the feathers of the adult are many shades of brown but its yellow gape is longer, beyond the pupil of the eye, and it has a white throat patch (not always visible) and often some white mottling.

The name nipalensis relates to large gatherings in Nepal on migration. Two photos of the Steppe Eagle in flight above are from Alexandra Makhnina.