White-tailed Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)
BackWhite-tailed Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)
The white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is a large raptor. It catches fish from freshwater bodies but also from the sea. In winter it also scavenges the carcasses of dead animals. This bird is rare in the Iberian Peninsula today and it has not been recorded in Gibraltar in historical times. It was here at the time of the Neanderthals. This eagle would have been at home on Gibraltar's cliffs and was probably caught by the Neanderthals by ambushing it at carcasses. It was a species taken for its feathers but probably more.
A study from a Neanderthal site in Croatia, dating to 130,000 years ago, showed that Neanderthals had taken the talons of this eagle and turned them into a necklace. Yes, Neanderthal jewellery!
Published: April 24, 2020
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The spring migration of raptors over Gibraltar - Part I
Published: March 22, 2020
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