Bonelli’s Eagle

The Bonelli’s Eagle is a large and powerful bird of prey found across southern Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, including Sri Lanka. Though not very common on the island, it is occasionally observed in dry lowlands and rocky outcrops, making it one of the more elusive raptors for birdwatchers. This eagle is admired for its bold hunting style, often targeting prey larger than itself such as hares, large birds, and reptiles. Unlike some other eagles, Bonelli’s is highly territorial and usually hunts alone or in pairs. Its striking white underparts contrasted with dark upperparts make it one of the easiest large eagles to identify in flight.