Eastern Imperial Eagle (Immature)

Observations, notes, photos

Juvenile Eastern Imperial Eagle at SAANR, January 2012.

Scientific Name 
Aquila heliaca
Arabic Name 
ملك العقبان الشرقي
Kuwaiti name 
عقاب
Width 
210.0 cm
Length 
83.0 cm
Vulnerable
Kuwait Specialty

Information

Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor. Although a threatened species, it often relies on humans by using agricultural land to hunt for food during winter.
Where in Kuwait 
During autumn migration, groups of up to 12 birds have been recorded on passage together and it is found in both desert and farmland habitat.
In the world 
This Vulnerable species has a small global population, and is likely to be undergoing continuing declines. Breeding sites are threatened primarily by intensive forestry in the mountains, and by the shortage of large indigenous trees in the lowlands. Male and female Imperial Eagles form pairs at around 4 years of age, and remain in this monogamous pair for life. Whilst each bird begins its migratory journey alone, imperial eagles often congregate into loose flocks of ten or more to soar on level wings, covering up to 8,000 kilometres in six weeks. It is found from southern Europe to southern Russia, as well as northwest India and central Siberia. In winter it migrates to the Middle East, east Africa as far south as Tanzania, the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian subcontinent and south and east Asia.
Local threats 
Indiscriminate shooting.