Justification This species has a small global population, and is likely to be undergoing continuing declines, primarily as a result of habitat loss and degradation, adult mortality through persecution and collison with powerlines, nest robbing and prey depletion. It is therefore listed as Vulnerable.

Family/Sub-family Accipitridae

Species name author Savigny, 1809

Taxonomic source(s) AERC TAC (2003), Cramp and Simmons (1977-1994), Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 75-84 cm. Large, dark eagle. Generally dark brown with white scapular markings and pale golden-cream nape. Grey base to tail. Juvenile brown fading to pale buff with dark flight feathers. Shows flat wings in flight. Similar spp. Golden Eagle A. chrysaetos is paler with less obviously bicoloured tail. Holds wings in flattened "V" shape. Steppe Eagle A. nipalensis lacks pale rusty yellow ventral area, bicoloured tail and pale scapulars. Voice Repeated barking.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

5,200 - 16,800

decreasing

9,440,000 km²

No

Range & population Aquila heliaca breeds in Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey and Ukraine. Breeding has not been proved but possibly occurs in Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Pakistan, Romania, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. On passage and in winter, birds are found in the Middle East, east Africa south to Tanzania, the Arabian peninsula, the Indian subcontinent and south and east Asia (from Thailand to Korea). The population is probably only a few thousand pairs, with a total population of 1,110-1,624⁹ pairs estimated in Europe. There was a rapid decline in Europe and probably in Asia in the second half of the 20^th century. Recently the Central European population (121-134 pairs mostly in Hungary and Slovakia) has been increasing ⁹, while the Balkan population (81-126 pairs mostly in Bulgaria and Macedonia¹⁰) is apparently stable (although the last proven breeding in Greece took place in 1993). Recent surveys in Azerbaijan found relatively high densities in the north-western plains, estimating 50-60 pairs within a 6000 km² study area¹¹. This suggests that the Caucasian population may have been underestimated (it was previously assumed that less than 50 pairs bred in Azerbaijan and Georgia¹¹. The majority of the world population breeds in Russia (total 900-1000 pairs⁷) and Kazakhstan (750-800 pairs²). Although these populations currently seem to be stable, the Russian population has been predicted to decline in the next three to five years³.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: This is a lowland species that has been pushed to higher altitudes by persecution and habitat loss in Europe. In central and eastern Europe, it breeds in forests up to 1,000 m and also in steppe and agricultural areas with large trees, and nowadays also on electricity pylons. In the Caucasus, it occurs in steppe, lowland and riverine forests and semi-deserts. Eastern populations breed in natural steppe and agricultural habitats. Both adults and immatures of the eastern populations are migratory, wintering in the Middle East, east Africa south to Tanzania, the Arabian peninsula, the Indian subcontinent and south and east Asia, and wintering birds have been reported in Hong Kong (China).Wetlands are apparently preferred on the wintering grounds. Adults in Central Europe, Balkan Peninsula, Turkey and Caucasus are usually residents, whilst most immatures move south. Non-territorial birds often associate with other large eagles such as Haliaeetus albicilla and Aquila clanga on wintering and temporary settlement areas.

Threats Breeding sites are threatened primarily by intensive forestry in the mountains, and by the shortage of large indigenous trees in the lowlands (e.g. illegal tree cutting affected several pairs in Bulgaria). Other threats are loss and alteration of feeding habitats, shortages of small and medium-sized prey species (particularly ground-squirrels Spermophilus spp.), human disturbance of breeding sites, nest robbing and illegal trade, shooting, poisoning and electrocution by powerlines. Habitat alterations associated with agricultural expansion threaten historical and potential breeding sites in former range countries. Hunting, poisoning, prey depletion and other mortality factors are also likely to pose threats along migration routes and in wintering areas.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix I and II. CMS Appendix I and II. It is legally protected in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Turkey and Ukraine. The Eastern Imperial Eagle Working Group was established in 1990. A European action plan was published in 1996. Regional Action Plans have been published for the Balkan Peninsula¹⁰ and for the Southern Caucasus¹². The Eastern Imperial Eagle Management Guidelines for Hungary were published in 2005 and are under preparation for Slovakia¹³.

Conservation measures proposed Conduct surveys to identify breeding and wintering sites, and migration routes. Improve protection of species and sites. Implement beneficial forestry policies. Maintain large trees in open land and protect old woodland on slopes⁴. Prevent mortality from nest robbing, nest destruction, illegal trade, poisoning and electrocution on medium-voltage powerlines, as well as persecution in wintering grounds and migratory routes. Maintain feeding habitats by preserving traditional land use. Increase the availability of prey species by habitat management. Raise public awareness and involve stakeholders in conservation activities.

References Heredia (1996c). 1. Belik and Galushin (1997). 2. Bragin (1999). 3. V. Galushin in litt. (1999). 4. B. Hallmann in litt. (1999). 5. Magyar et al. (1998). 6. Bagyura et al. (2002). 7. Belik et al. (2002). 8. Horvath et al. (2002). 9. Horváth et al., 2005. 10. Stoychev et al. (2004). 11. Horváth et al., 2007. 12. Horváth et al., 2006 . 13. Kovács et al. (2006).

Further web sources of information

Conservation of the Imperial Eagle in the Carpathian basin

Detailed species account from Birds in Europe: population estimates, trends and conservation status (BirdLife International 2004)

Fully detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001), together with new information collated since the publication of the Red Data Book

International Action Plan

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), James Gilroy (BirdLife International), Matt Harding (BirdLife International), Rob Pople (BirdLife International - European Division)

Contributors Vladimir M. Galushin (Russian Bird Conservation Union), B Hallmann, Márton Horváth, Todd Katzner (National Aviary), András Kovács, Stoycho Stoychev

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Ian Burfield (BirdLife International - European Division), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), James Gilroy (BirdLife International), Rob Pople (BirdLife International - European Division)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Aquila heliaca. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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