IDENTIFICATION

VOCALISATIONS

There are no descriptions of vocalisations uttered in HK.

DISTRIBUTION & HABITAT PREFERENCE

Carey et al. (2001) estimated that there were approximately ten pairs of Bonelli’s Eagle present in HK. However, this species appears to have undergone a severe contraction of its range in the period between the two breeding atlas surveys. In 1993-96 it was recorded in 3.7% of 1km squares, whereas in the 2016-19 surveys it was recorded in only 0.1% of 1km squares (one square in western Lantau). The equivalent figures for the 2001-05 and 2016-19 winter atlas surveys were 1.6% and 0.1% respectively (one square in the northeast New Territories).

Carey et al. (2001) reported records mainly from widespread parts of the New Territories, as well as urban Kowloon, HK Island, Lantau and Lamma, and occasionally smaller islands such as the Sokos, Bluff Island, Tap Mun, Port Island, Town Island and Kat O. However, there have been no records from the Sai Kung – Ma On Shan area since September 2015, and only one record on Lamma this century. While it was recorded on HK Island as recently as October and December 2017, these were the first since 1999.

The only recent breeding season records in suitable areas comprise singles in the Tai Mo Shan massif in 2018 and 2019 and a bird carrying nesting material on 25 March 2017. Reports from Lantau are more frequent than previously, but this may be observer bias; relatively few occur in the summer months, however. Most reports of juvenile or immature birds are from the northwest New Territories in the non-breeding season, but the frequency with which these are received has declined markedly since 2015.

Orta et al. (2020) state the species occurs mainly in warm and sunny mountainous or broken terrain, normally with crags and cliffs; vegetation cover is variable but does not include extensive areas of closed-canopy forest in the nominate subspecies. On this basis it is possible that the increase of secondary forest cover in HK is responsible, at least in part, for the decline that has occurred in HK.

OCCURRENCE

There is no firm evidence of migration, with the only suggestion of movement provided by a record from Po Toi of an immature on 1 November 2006. In addition, one with a trap on its leg was seen there on 6 November 2007. Aside from juvenile dispersal, it is generally regarded as sedentary (Orta et al. 2020).

BREEDING

Displaying birds have been noted in the second half of the year, and the carrying of nesting material has been noted on 25 December and 25 March. Chalmers (2012) reported that nest sites in HK are typically on rocky crags in remote or inaccessible areas, though man-made structures such as electricity pylons have also been used.

BEHAVIOUR, FORAGING & DIET

Recorded prey species are Grey Heron, Chinese Pond Heron, Little Egret, Eastern Cattle Egret, Pied Avocet and ducks. Captures have occurred by stooping birds surprising prey.

Reports typically refer to pairs of adults soaring over hilltops or gliding along ridges, usually in poorly-vegetated areas, though also over urban areas adjacent to breeding territories and occasionally over forest. Whilst adults are only infrequently recorded in the northwest New Territories wetland areas, young birds were regularly observed hunting waterbirds there between October and April.

RANGE & SYSTEMATICS

Ranges from northwest Africa and southern Europe east through the Mediterranean and the Middle East to Afghanistan, south Asia, north Indochina and southeast China; also occurs in the Lesser Sundas. In China it occurs in the coastal provinces from Zhejiang to Guangxi and also Yunnan. Cheng (1987) lists it as an ‘uncommon resident in the south’, while Chalmers (2012) concluded it was a ‘locally scarce resident’.

The nominate form A. f. fasciata occurs from north Africa and southern Europe east to south China including HK. One other subspecies is recognised.

CONSERVATION STATUS

IUCN: Least Concern. Population decreasing. However, as noted in Chalmers (2012), over most of Asia accurate population estimates are lacking and the overall situation could be even more critical.