Eastern Imperial Eagle

Aquila heliaca

Wingspan

180–220cm

Body length

70–85cm

Weight

2,400–2,800g

Profile

Life expectancy
Clutch size: 2–3 eggs
Global status
Activity
Migration

Identification

A large, dark eagle with long, straight wings that it holds flat when soaring. The adult’s golden nape and white shoulder spots are visible from a distance. Juveniles are pale sandy with dark-streaked underparts.

Colours

Plumage

Eyes

Legs & feet

Adult

Very dark, almost blackish-brown plumage with a golden crown and nape. White patches stand out on the shoulders; the tail is grey at the base with a broad dark terminal band.

Behaviour

Eastern Imperial Eagles live in permanent pairs and defend extensive territories. North-eastern populations migrate in winter as far as the Middle East, Africa and South Asia; pairs in Central Europe usually stay in the breeding area all year.

Breeding & rearing

The large nest sits exposed in tall trees, in steppes also on power pylons. The young fledge after about two months and stay near their parents for weeks.

Diet

Prey examples

Ground squirrels

Hares

Small to medium-sized mammals of open country make up the main diet, especially ground squirrels, hamsters, hares and hedgehogs. Birds up to the size of a pheasant are added; carrion is taken especially in winter.

Occasional

Pigeons

Hunting

The imperial eagle watches ground-squirrel colonies and field edges from a high lookout or glides low over the steppe. It seizes prey spotted on the ground in a short, low attack with talons outstretched.

Distribution

Range

South-eastern Europe to Central Asia

Status in Germany

Rare visitor

Habitat

Open steppes, farmland with copses, and open riverine and lowland forests. For breeding it needs tall, free-standing trees with a wide view over its hunting grounds.

Vast dry grassland with low hills — Steppes

Open meadows, fields and varied hedgerow landscape — Meadows & fields