The pygmy eagle was described by German naturalist Anton Reichenow as Eutolmaetus weiskei in 1900.

Gjershaug and colleagues analysed it genetically and found it distinct enough to warrant species status.

The pygmy eagle has darker more pronounced streaks on the nape, crown and ventral.

The plumage of the pygmy eagle can vary depending on the morph, light or dark.

They enjoy nesting in closed forestry but have also been seen in open habitat and forest edges.

One of the densely forested parts of New Guinea is Vogelkop or Bird's Head Peninsula.

The raptor is capable of very swift dives and attacks other avians such as the brown cuckoo-dove and mountain fruit-dove.