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SCIENTIFIC NAME: Circaetus gallicus

FAMILY: Accipitridae

DESCRIPTION: Large pale bird of prey with broad wings and quadrangular tail. The Short-toed Eagle is present in Spain from March to September and winters in Africa, adapting its migratory pattern to its diet based on reptiles. It hunts from its perch (on rocks, branches, telegraph poles, etc.) and often in flight, hovering motionless for long moments thanks to the powerful beating of its wings. When mates reach their own territory they go through some spectacular courtship dances in the air, sending out a profusion of shrill, plaintiff calls.

STATUS IN ARAGON:E Nr (Summer visitor – Breeds regularly)

BREEDING PROBABILITY: Breeding likely

REPRODUCTIVE: Yes

LOCAL STATUS: Summer visitor

MONTHS : March to September

ECOSYSTEM: Forest

DIET AND FEEDING: The Short-toed Eagle has the peculiar habit of feeding almost exclusively on a prey that is scarce and difficult to hunt: ophidians (snakes). However, it also eats other reptiles, amphibians and small mammals that it finds thanks to its wonderful sense of sight. It swallows such food after making it smaller by pecking at the head and nape of its prey.

HABITS: The Short-toed Eagle builds its nest in the branches of trees, and often re-builds the one from the previous year if it has been able to locate its former mate. At the end of April one white egg is laid, which is incubated by both the male and female bird. The chicks does not leave the nest until the month of August.

THREAT OF EXTINCTION + CRITERION: CNEA (National Catalogue of Endangered Species): Not classified: CREA: Not included

ROUTES: 1 (Zuriza - River Veral), 2 (Gamueta - Linza), 4 (Selva de Oza), 6 (La Garcipollera), 7 (Las Blancas), 8b (Somport - Chorrota de Aspe) and 13 (San Juan de la Peña)

SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION: Submediterranean woodland, montane dry woodland and montane wet forests.