Eastern imperial eagles (Aquila heliaca) are known for their distinctive vocalizations, which are deeper and harsher than those of the golden eagle. The main call of the species is a deep, harsh bark owk owk, gok gok or kraw-kraw, which tends to be repeated rapidly up to 8-10 times.

The Vocalizations of Eastern Imperial Eagles

The call of the eastern imperial eagle is more resonant and commanding than that of the golden eagle, and in some cases, it may be reminiscent of the croak of a large frog. Females may also call when a male arrives with prey, and alarm calls recorded for the species include a soft ko-gok, wk wk wk, uttered in response to a distant intruder, and a closer approach may cause a harder gek call by the mother. A rising and falling trill has been additionally recorded in captivity and is probably an alarm call.

Distinguishing Eastern Imperial Eagles in Flight

Image source: eastern imperial eagle By Koshy Koshy

Eastern imperial eagles tend to fly in a fairly strong dihedral and have a large headed and flat winged shape, which may suggest in silhouette the white-tailed eagle or the cinereous vulture. However, these species are much larger than imperial eagles with differing proportions and lack any of the contrasting pale parts of the imperial eagle’s plumage.

Distribution and Habitat of Eastern Imperial Eagles

In terms of their distribution and habitat, eastern imperial eagles are found in east-central and southeastern Europe, including eastern Austria, eastern Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, eastern Croatia, Serbia, northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and northern, western, and much of the eastern part of the Ukraine. The species distribution continues across central Russia, where it is found through most of the Central Federal District, essentially all of the North Caucasian Federal District, and the southern part of the Volga Federal District. Eastern imperial eagles breed in forested areas intermixed with steppes and agricultural areas, where they are often seen perched on pylons. They winter in open habitats, including cropland.

Anecdotal Evidence of Screaming Eastern Imperial Eagles

According to a Flickr post, a screaming eastern imperial eagle can be seen in a color gallery, indicating that the bird may make a screaming sound. However, there is no further information or evidence provided to support this claim.

Comparison to Bald Eagle Vocalizations

Reddit users have commented on the vocalizations of bald eagles, which are often depicted in American film and media as having a robust call. However, users have noted that bald eagles actually sound like squeaky shopping carts or seagulls, with a high-pitched, screeching sound. This suggests that the vocalizations of eastern imperial eagles may be more commanding and resonant than those of bald eagles.

In conclusion, eastern imperial eagles are known for their deep, harsh bark call, which is more resonant and commanding than that of the golden eagle. They tend to fly in a fairly strong dihedral and have a large headed and flat winged shape, which may suggest in silhouette the white-tailed eagle or the cinereous vulture. Eastern imperial eagles are found in east-central and southeastern Europe and winter in open habitats, including cropland. While there is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that eastern imperial eagles may make a screaming sound, there is no further information or evidence to support this claim.

References:
– Flickr post
– Reddit discussion on bald eagle vocalizations
– Xeno-canto recordings of eastern imperial eagle vocalizations
– eBird range map for eastern imperial eagle
– Wikipedia article on the eastern imperial eagle