The little eagle ( Hieraaetus morphnoides ) is a very small eagle endemic to Australia .
NSW: Vulnerable; VIC: Vulnerable; WA: Vulnerable; NT: Vulnerable
Endemic to Australia
Indigenous: Australian Little Eagle
At a glance
FamilyHawks, Eagles, and Kites
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatAlthough the little eagle has a large range and can be found in most parts of Australia , except heavily forested parts of the Great Dividing Range.
Best timeReported across most months in Victoria, with no narrow seasonal peak.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Iain Woxvold
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
50645approx records
6states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Both light and dark morphs occur in varying frequencies throughout its extensive range. In flight note diagnostic black wingtips and tail barring. Can raise feathers on the back of the head to form a small black crest. Usually solitary.
Behavior
Easily confused with Whistling Kite, but Little Eagle has shorter tail and dark leading edge to the wings.
Gallery
Regional timing
Queensland
New South Wales
Western Australia
South Australia
Northern Territory
Victoria
Australian Capital Territory
Tasmania
Commonly confused with
Spotted HarrierCircus assimilisOften perches on fence-posts. Occurs in drier habitats than Swamp Harrier.→Brown GoshawkTachyspiza fasciataWhen soaring, tail-tip is usually rounded. At a distance, appears pale gray from below, with darker wing-tips. When perched, look for heavy brow, large bill, and heavy legs. Immature has dark streaks on chest. Relatively common; pairs often circle high in the sky.→Swamp HarrierCircus approximansAdult has varied plumage, but note diagnostic prominent white rump. Juvenile is darker below. Flies slowly and low over open habitats with wings held in shallow V shape.→