Bateleur eagle sighted in Europe for the first time ever, say experts

Bateleur sighted at Punta Carnero
(Photo: Fundación Migres)

ALGECIRAS (Agencies) The Migres Foundation and the Ornitur company announced yesterday that they had sighted an African eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus), known in Spanish as an águila volatinera, and in English as a Bataleur eagle. This , they say, is the first time this species of eagle has been sighted in Europe. The sighting occurred on April 5th at Punta Carnero, within the municipality of Algeciras, where annual studies on bird migration are taking place these days. Migres said that this is a young bird that came in over the Strait of Gibraltar, in conjunction with numerous other birds of prey. The fact that it is a youngster - new plumage- and the fact that it carries no identification marks such as rings or other means, leads them to believe that this is a natural crossing. It is as yet unknown that any such bird has crossed one of the world's largest deserts, the Sahara, then acros the straits TO reach Europe on the Iberian peninsula. The Bataleur's natural habitat is PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ITEMS SUCH AS THIS MAY BE SUBJECT TO SUBSCRIPTION IN THE FUTURE but you can make a donation NOW, too! Please click here for more information on how to help us continue. (This item was translated and edited.)
>>> well South of the Sahara, occupying large stretches of open flatlands or dispersed forest. This is not known as a migratory species, although it move  within its African habitat depending on the rainy seasons. The only known sightings in Europe of this species are related to escapees in Central Europe, or those used in falconry or in exhibitions. Sightings have also been reported in Israel and North East Africa (Egypt and Tunisia), though these are considered very rare. (Read more on Wikipedia)