Tawny Eagle & Steppe Eagle

[Biarmicus]

Hello,

Just out of curiosity is there any difference between the Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) & the Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax)?

I have searched several days to find an answer, but have only found conflicting information on the subject.

Certain sources on the internet say that the two are not even related, while other websites say the Tawny Eagle and Steppe Eagle are the same species.:confused:

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Britt :-)

[Barbary Boy]

definatly different species, and there are sub species of both?tawneys tend to be somewhat smaller.

[Biarmicus]

Thank you Barbary Boy.

With Tawny's being smaller in size, is there any other differences between the two eagles so as to tell them apart if compared side by side?
For example: appearance or behaviour.

Just curious...

Thanks Again,

Britt

[Barbary Boy]

huge differences? a classical steppes has a golden nape is quite large, up to 9/10 lbs with proportionally smaller feet than a tawney. wich are generally slighter built and much the better bird for my money.

[Flying High]

huge differences? a classical steppes has a golden nape is quite large, up to 9/10 lbs with proportionally smaller feet than a tawney. wich are generally slighter built and much the better bird for my money.

Have you flown both of these species and if so out of the two in your mind would you say is the better on to fly and why

[Pitbull]

as far as i am aware the tawny apart from its size differents is alot lighter in colour hence tawny where as the steppe is a darker brown like the golden. but this info is only based on seeing various tawnies and steppes but i could be wrong

[Pitbull]

http://http://www.kenyabirds.org.uk/steppe.htm

hope this works obviously not www.kenyabirds.org.uk/steppe.htm[/IMG]

[Biarmicus]

Hi Pitbull,

Thanks for the link, I'm going to keep that website for future reference!:cool: (Neat website, I didn't have that one!)
I see the differences in colour you mentioned in your post, as in the Tawny Eagle being lighter and the Steppe Eagle darker.


Thanks.

Britt:-)

[Sprout]

There are different subspecies and they overlap in range quite considerably. The main difference in identification is the gape - it ends in line with the eye on Tawneys but extends past it on Steppes.

[Biarmicus]

I have only ever seen one Steppe Eagle where I took my falconry course and the Eagle was well away from the walkway. I have a picture of it but trying to compare my picture with better quality pictures is a little difficult.:-)

Has anyone ever had the opportunity to train a tawny or Steppe eagle?
Are they difficult to train?

I am by no means thinking of these birds as my first raptor, I'm just curious?

Thanks again to everybody that has answered my questions, its greatly appreciated.

Britt

[Pitbull]

my freind has a steppes he plans on taking it up the highlands and flying it at hare. she is a cracker.

[Barbary Boy]

my freind has a steppes he plans on taking it up the highlands and flying it at hare. she is a cracker.
it might do well on the midgies? coz thats what they like insects? bet he doesnt get a hare?

[Barbary Boy]

There are different subspecies and they overlap in range quite considerably. The main difference in identification is the gape - it ends in line with the eye on Tawneys but extends past it on Steppes.
very good point sprout the steppes eagle has a gape like a ferrougenus hawk?

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

Ive flown both and just wouldnt even concider trying to hunt with a Steppes eagle as they are mentally very lazy. The Tawny is more bouant on the wing and marginally faster, which would be more use for hunting. The main problem with both of these birds is that they are both highly geared in the wild to eating carrion. Its a little like the difference between a common buzzard and the Red tail. Very few people would seriously concider nowadays tryinng to hunt with the common, and would elect for the Red tail. Same goes with eagles if you want to hunt go for the less inclined to scavange species, as results will be far greater. If I can get the camera working Ill post a picture of my Tawny. She is of the Indian sub species Aquila rapax indianus and just coming into full adult plumage. Both Tawny and Steppes eagles display a wide variation in plumage colours.

[Biarmicus]

Thanks K,

If you are able to get a picture of your eagle, I'd love to see it.

Are either of the eagle species aggressive at all?

and

Are they prone to certain illnesses more than other birds of prey?

Sorry for all the questions, I think they are amazing looking birds.

Britt:-)

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

No not really being basically carrion orientated they are are remarckably resillient. Though with any Aquila you should always be on guard against aspergillosis. Much like the Gyr they can be stressed and not display it very openly. Heat is handled by both Steppes and Tawny better than with Goldens though. Ill try and get a photo with my Golden and Tawny close together for size comparison.

[Biarmicus]

Wow Thanks K,

In January I will be studying Raptor Biomedicine as part of my home-schooling, so I have quite an interest in the illnesses of birds of prey, especially Aspergillosis and similar diseases.

Thanks Again,:grin:

Britt

[Pitbull]

it might do well on the midgies? coz thats what they like insects? bet he doesnt get a hare?

on the hare the other week, but i will try and get some pics if i go to dalwhinnie with them.