This record was submitted by RICHARD WHITE on 02 Nov 2025. All user submissions will be reviewed by the Records Committee. Entries listed here may be edited for brevity and clarity while the original record is left unchanged.
This record was submitted to the Records Committee for review.
The Records Committee began deliberating on this record.
The Records Committee is still considering this record and this page will be updated once the verdict is finalised.
| Species | Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis |
|---|---|
| Record ID | 11257 |
| Date | 02 Nov 2025 |
| Location | Henderson Waves |
| Count | 1 individual |
| Date added | 02 Nov 2025 |
This record remains under review by the Records Committee.
| Identification |
|---|
| The BirdSoc raptor watch at Henderson Waves was disrupted by rain and most observers departed. A few remained huddled under umbrellas hoping the rain would clear. As the rain eased off I saw a bird high over Mount Faber and on first impressions told the others to get onto the bird - it was obviously big and something different. I hastily sent a voice message on the group chat for those at Mount Faber to keep a lookout for a Greater spotted eagle. The bird circled high overhead for a few minutes and it soon became clear we had something more interesting on our hands. Initial review of images showed a clear pale band demarcating the underwing coverts from the flight feathers, and no sign of any white crescent on the carpal. Could it be a Steppe eagle? We watched the bird drift south towards Reflections but views did not improve (light rain and generally grey/flat lighting). Subsequent review of images reinforced the first impressions in the field. We have shared the images to reach out for additional feedback and will see if anyone dissents from our conclusions. One comment from James W T Hogg is worth adding to this description: "Gape line extends behind the eye. That's a feature of Steppe". |
| Habitat/behaviour |
|---|
| Circling high viewed from Henderson Waves. It later became clear that observers at Telok Blangah (Zacc) and Mount Faber (Swee Peng et al.) had also connected with the bird. |
| Viewing conditions |
|---|
| Overcast, light rain. |
| Observer's experience |
|---|
| None with Steppe eagle. |
| Observer's experience w/similar species |
|---|
| Plenty of Greater spotted eagles. |
Bird Society of Singapore. (2025). Record 11257: Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis. Retrieved November 3, 2025, from https://records.singaporebirds.com/record/11257/.