Eastern Imperial Eagle

Adult
Photo © by Jugal Tiwari
Kutch, Gujarat, India, February, 2007

Aquila heliaca

Identification

Juvenile
Photo © by Alok Tewari
Nazafgarh Wetland and Marshes, Delhi-Haryana Border, India, January-2019

72–84 cm (28¼-33 in)

• Dark brown
• White scapular
• Gold-cream nape
• Tail has grey base

Juvenile

• Brown becoming buff
• Dark flight feathers

Distribution

Eastern Europe to Central Asia, and Africa.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species^[1].

Habitat

Mainly open lowland areas with scattered trees or adjacent to patches of woodland, sometimes marshes.

Behaviour

Photo © by tombac
Petchaburi, Thailand, January 2010

Breeding

They nest in trees; the nest is formed from branches, grass and feathers. The clutch consists of 2-3 eggs which is incubated for 45 days.

Diet

Their diet consists of susliks, hamsters, squirrels, rodents, foxes and birds.

Vocalisation

Listen in an external program

Gallery

Click images to see larger version

• 

  Immature: under-wing
  © by Alok Tewari
  Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India, February-2018

• 

  Immature : upper-wing
  Photo © by Alok Tewari
  Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India, February-2018

References

1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/

1. Wikipedia
2. BirdLife International

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Eastern Imperial Eagle. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 18 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Eastern_Imperial_Eagle

External Links

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