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

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.