Another molecular study of the eagles suggested that kienerii was distinctive enough to be retained in a separate genus[4] for which the name Kienastur had been suggested[6] but as this occurred in a thesis it is invalid for taxonomic purposes, and in any case Lophotriorchis was proposed much earlier (though originally shared with the Black-and-chestnut eagle which is nowadays placed in Spizaetus).

The nominate kienerii of India and Sri Lanka (the northern birds are larger); and formosus described by Erwin Stresemann in 1924 which is widely distributed across Southeast Asia from Burma to Sulawesi.

Juveniles have very white underparts with dark markings on the sides of the body, head mask and edge of underwing coverts.

[8][9] The rufous-bellied eagle is found in southern and south-eastern Asia and its range also extends to Sulawesi.

They dive to capture prey that can include birds and mammals in the air, canopy, or forest floor.

Birds the size of the Sri Lanka wood pigeon, Kalij pheasant and junglefowl have been recorded as prey.