User:SirCarbin/sandbox
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Accipitriformes |
| Family: | Accipitridae |
| Genus: | Hieraaetus |
| Species: | H. weiskei
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| Binomial name | |
| Hieraaetus weiskei (Reichenow, 1900)
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| Synonyms | |
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Hieraaetus morphnoides weiskei | |
The pygmy eagle or New Guinea hawk-eagle (Hieraaetus weiskei) is a bird of prey found in New Guinea. Its natural habitats are primarily subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It is often considered a subspecies of the little eagle, but some taxonomists separate it into a distinct species.[2][3]
Description[edit]
Size[edit]
The pygmy eagle is a relatively small bird of prey, measuring 45-56 cm in length. The wingspan measures 112-126 cm. The female eagle is slightly smaller than male.[4]
Identification[edit]
The pygmy eagle shares many characteristics with its counterpart the Little Eagle. The most notable differences are with color. The pygmy eagle has darker more pronounced streaks on the nape, crown and ventral. The bird also shares characteristics with the Booted Eagle, both eagles have a unique underwing pattern. The plumage of the pigmy eagle can vary depending on the morph, light or dark. The dark morph is very similar to the dark morph of the little eagle, while the light morph shows the most differences that occur in the dark streaking. The dark morph seems to be more rare as 10 out of 11 field sighting have been the light morph. The feet of the eagle are described as grey or dull yellow. [5]
Voice[edit]
The voice of the pygmy eagle has been described as a "sip sip yeeee" during flights. The call can also be compared to the Little Eagle and Booted Eagle. The bird has also been observed giving a weaker single tone squeal.[5]
Habitat[edit]
The pygmy eagle primarily resides in lowland forests and forest edges in New Guinea. They enjoy nesting in closed forestry but have also been seen in open habitat and forest edges. The bird seems to be sparsely distributed throughout the hilly forests of New Guinea; however much of the forests of New Guinea are inaccessible and they may be more abundant than it seems. This densely forested part of New Guinea is called the Vogelkop on Bird's Head Peninsula. The pygmy eagle has been observed 19 times in the Vogelkop over 3 years. It has also been observed on the island Buru and in the northern Moluccas. [5]
Food[edit]
Pygmy eagles have been seen soaring and diving on prey in forest canopies. The eagle swift dives on other avians such as the Brown Cuckoo-Dove and Mountain Fruit-Dove. The raptor is capable of very swift dives. Usually, the raptor low soars over the canopy scanning for prey and then dives on other birds in the canopy.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Hieraaetus weiskei". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016. IUCN: e.T22734094A95074293. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22734094A95074293.en. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- ^ Gjershaug, Jan Ove; Lerner, Heather R.L.; Diserud, Ola H. (2009). "Taxonomy and distribution of the Pygmy Eagle Aquila (Hieraaetus) weiskei (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae)" (PDF). Zootaxa. 2326: 24–38.
- ^ "Hieraaetus weiskei". Avibase.
- ^ "New Guinea Hawk Eagle - Aquila weiskei". The Eagle Directory. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ a b c d Debus, Stephen. Australian Eagles and Eagle Like Birds (1 ed.). CSIRO Publishing. Retrieved 16 April 2018.