Eastern Imperial Eagle

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.