80. Short Toed Eagle

Yes, we do get eagles too! They probably won’t land on your lawn or nest in your bougainvillea, but they come and they come every year. Early autumn is the best time for eagles as they join the migration marathon from Europe to Africa. Although five species of eagle are recorded on BirdLife Malta’s checklist, most are very rarely seen in Malta. But the Short-toed Eagle (Ajkla Bajda) is spot practically every year. Forget the short toes, it’s the sheer majesty of this pale speckled raptor with the dark head, and the spread of its wide wings as it sails silently overhead that makes time stand still - and hooks novice birders for life! The fact that Short-toed Eagles are rare in Europe renders their occurrence in Malta even more poignant, and their protection vital.

Text by Victor Falzon, photo by Chris Cachia Zammit.

Copyright to Birdlife Malta.