The first documentation of a juvenile eastern imperial eagle ( <i>Aquila heliaca</i> ) with an unstreaked body

Abstract An extremely pale juvenile eastern imperial eagle ( Aquila heliaca ) without the typical dark streaking of the body was observed and photographed wintering in Oman. The bird presented an identification challenge and was initially identified as a tawny eagle ( Aquila rapax ). The possible overlap in the breeding distribution of both species is discussed, together with the possibility for natural hybridisation.