Lesser Spotted Eagle

Lesser Spotted Eagle

Aquila pomarina

Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
at Gauja National Park
12 Verified sightings at Gauja National Park From 2019 to 2026
1,556 Verified sightings across all 42 parks From 2019 to 2026
August Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Lesser Spotted Eagle

The lesser spotted eagle (Clanga pomarina) is a large Eastern European bird of prey. Like all typical eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. The typical eagles are often united with the buteos, sea eagles, and other more heavy-set Accipitridae, but more recently it appears as if they are less distinct from the more slender accipitrine hawks than believed.

This is a medium-sized eagle, about 60 cm (24 in) in length and with a wingspan of 150 cm (59 in). Its head and wing coverts are pale brown and contrast with the generally dark plumage. The head and bill are small for an eagle. Usually, a white patch occurs on the upper wings, and even adults retain a clearly marked white "V" on the rump; the wing markings are absent and the white "V" is not well-defined in the greater spotted eagle.

The juvenile has less contrast in the wings, but the remiges bear prominent white spots. It differs from greater spotted eagle juveniles by a lack of wing covert spotting and the presence of a cream-colored neck patch. The call is a dog-like yip.

The birds formerly considered to be the resident Indian subspecies are now considered a separate species... Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Gauja National Park

Common Buzzard
LC

Common Buzzard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Buteo buteo

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
LC

Eurasian Sparrowhawk

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Accipiter nisus

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
Western Marsh-Harrier
LC

Western Marsh-Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus aeruginosus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
European Honey-buzzard
LC

European Honey-buzzard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pernis apivorus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
White-tailed Eagle
LC

White-tailed Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus albicilla

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Hen Harrier
LC

Hen Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus cyaneus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
Rough-legged Hawk
LC

Rough-legged Hawk

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Buteo lagopus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
Pale Harrier
NT

Pale Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus macrourus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
Black Kite
LC

Black Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Milvus migrans

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
Osprey
LC

Osprey

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pandion haliaetus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Białowieża National Park 🇵🇱 Poland
~30%
2 Biebrza National Park 🇵🇱 Poland
~10%
3 Hwange National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
~10%
4 Bale Mountains National Park 🇪🇹 Ethiopia
~10%
5 Kafue National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
<5%
6 Kruger National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
<5%
7 Tatra National Park 🇸🇰 Slovakia
<5%
8 Moremi Game Reserve 🇧🇼 Botswana
<5%
9 Liwonde National Park 🇲🇼 Malawi
<5%
10 Tarangire National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
11 Mana Pools National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
<5%
12 Lake Nakuru National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
13 Gauja National Park 🇱🇻 Latvia
<5%
14 Serengeti National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
15 Ngorongoro Conservation Area 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
16 Chobe National Park 🇧🇼 Botswana
<5%
17 South Luangwa National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
<5%
18 Samburu National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
19 Tsavo West National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
20 Tsavo East National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
21 Murchison Falls National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
22 Lake Mburo National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
23 Queen Elizabeth National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
24 Masai Mara National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
25 Virunga National Park 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo
<5%
26 Gonarezhou National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
Insufficient data
27 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
Insufficient data
28 Ruaha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
29 Lake Manyara National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
30 Awash National Park 🇪🇹 Ethiopia
Insufficient data
31 Arusha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
32 Akagera National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
Insufficient data
33 Hortobágy National Park 🇭🇺 Hungary
Insufficient data
34 Mkomazi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
35 Volcanoes National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
Insufficient data
36 Kiskunság National Park 🇭🇺 Hungary
Insufficient data
37 Amboseli National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
38 Etosha National Park 🇳🇦 Namibia
Insufficient data
39 iSimangaliso Wetland Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
Insufficient data
40 Fertő-Hanság National Park 🇭🇺 Hungary
Insufficient data
41 Kibale National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
Insufficient data
42 Wadden Sea National Park 🇩🇪 Germany
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Lesser Spotted Eagle in Gauja National Park?

Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Lesser Spotted Eagle sighting in Gauja National Park, based on 12 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Lesser Spotted Eagle in Gauja National Park?

August has the highest sighting rate for Lesser Spotted Eagle in Gauja National Park in our monthly data.

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