The eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca) is a large bird of prey known for its striking appearance, particularly its distinctive throat. This article delves into the unique features of the eastern imperial eagle’s throat, providing a comprehensive understanding of this captivating aspect of the species.
The Contrasting Throat Coloration
One of the most notable characteristics of the eastern imperial eagle’s throat is its striking contrast in coloration. In adult birds, the throat is predominantly a tar-like blackish-brown, which stands out in sharp contrast to the creamy to golden buff color of the crown, hindneck, and neck sides. This stark contrast is a valuable field mark for identifying the eastern imperial eagle in the wild.
In juvenile eastern imperial eagles, the throat is mostly pale tawny-buff to sandy yellow, with fairly heavy dark brown streaks. This difference in throat coloration between adults and juveniles is an important distinguishing feature that can aid in the identification of the species at different life stages.
Vocal Characteristics
Image source: eastern imperial eagle By Koshy Koshy
The eastern imperial eagle is also known for its distinctive vocalizations, which are closely tied to its throat anatomy. The main call of the species is a deep, harsh bark ‘owk owk, gok gok or kraw-kraw’, which is often repeated rapidly up to 8-10 times. This call is noticeably deeper and harsher than that of the golden eagle, and has a more resonant and commanding quality.
Females may also vocalize when a male arrives with prey, and alarm calls include a soft ‘ko-gok, wk wk wk’, uttered in response to a distant intruder, and a harder ‘gek’ call by the mother. These vocalizations are an important aspect of the eastern imperial eagle’s communication and behavior.
Habitat Preferences
The eastern imperial eagle is found in a variety of habitats, including taiga forests, woodlands, grasslands, meadows, vast areas of steppe, river valleys, agricultural areas, semi-deserts, forested lower mountains, and montane steppe, often near marshes, lakes, and other wetlands. They prefer a mix of open land and trees, and are often found near water sources.
Physical Characteristics
In terms of size, the eastern imperial eagle is a large bird of prey. Adult males have a wing chord length ranging from 565 to 665 mm (22.2 to 26.2 in) and a tail length of 260 to 308 mm (10.2 to 12.1 in). Females are slightly larger, with a wing chord length of 590 to 680 mm (23.2 to 26.8 in) and a tail length of 270 to 320 mm (10.6 to 12.6 in). The tarsus length for males ranges from 81 to 91 mm (3.2 to 3.6 in), while for females it is 91 to 98 mm (3.6 to 3.9 in).
Conclusion
The eastern imperial eagle is a captivating bird of prey, and its distinctive throat is a key feature that sets it apart from other species. The contrast in throat coloration, along with the species’ unique vocalizations and habitat preferences, make the eastern imperial eagle a fascinating subject of study and observation for birdwatchers and naturalists alike.
References
- https://www.thainationalparks.com/species/eastern-imperial-eagle
- https://animalia.bio/eastern-imperial-eagle?environment=207
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_imperial_eagle
- http://www.raptors-international.org/book/raptors_worldwide_2004/Clark_2004_569-574.pdf
- https://www.oiseaux-birds.com/card-eastern-imperial-eagle.html
