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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Accipitridae
  4. ›
  5. Hieraaetus
  6. ›
  7. Little Eagle
Little Eagle
Photo · (c) Andrew Allen, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Little Eagle

Hieraaetus morphnoides(Gould, 1841)

Updated 21 March 2026

Also known asWandaba

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Endemic
Order
ACCIPITRIFORMES
Family
Accipitridae
Genus
Hieraaetus

At a glance

The Little Eagle is a large bird, about 45–55 cm long, listed as Least Concern and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
45–55 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Little Eagle look like?

The Little Eagle is a large bird, about 45–55 cm long and weighing 440–1240 g.

The little eagle is the smallest eagle species found in Australia; it is a stocky raptor with a feathered tarsus, distinguishing it from the larger whistling kite.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
45–55 cm
Weight
440–1240 g
Wingspan
110 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Little Eagle?

The Little Eagle is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Little Eagle eat?

The Little Eagle feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, terrestrial vertebrates and carrion, usually foraging alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

5 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Little Eagle live in Australia?

The Little Eagle is endemic to Australia, recorded across 81 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingAustralia (except Tasmania)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant

8 regions recorded