Eastern imperial eagles are opportunistic predators that consume a varied diet of small to medium-sized mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and occasionally insects. In winter, their dietary preferences may shift depending on the availability of prey.

The Diverse Diet of Eastern Imperial Eagles

In Europe, the eastern imperial eagle’s diet consists of 74.7% mammalian prey, with the European water vole being the primary species, making up 32.4% of the diet. In Asia, particularly in India, the diet of eastern imperial eagles becomes more diverse, with a preference for easily attainable foods such as carrion, stranded fish, and young herons, storks, and other water birds from heronries.

Mammalian Prey

The eastern imperial eagle’s diet in Europe is dominated by small to medium-sized mammals, with the European water vole being the primary species, making up 32.4% of the diet.

Avian Prey

In Asia, particularly in India, eastern imperial eagles have been observed to become more predatory in food obtainment during winter, taking many adult birds, especially those taken by imperial eagles. This shift in behavior may be due to the increased availability of adult birds during winter migration.

Reptilian and Aquatic Prey

Eastern imperial eagles are known to hunt in open wet forests, river-valley woodland, and floodplain forests, often adjoining marshy, swampy patches, bogs, or wet meadows, where they may prey on reptiles and fish.

Opportunistic Feeding

Eastern imperial eagles are opportunistic predators and will also consume carrion, stranded fish, and young herons, storks, and other water birds from heronries, particularly in Asia.

Behavioral Dominance over Steppe Eagles

Image source: eastern imperial eagle By Koshy Koshy

Eastern imperial eagles are known to be behaviorally dominant over steppe eagles, often displacing them at shared feeding sites and allowing them to feed first despite occasional displacement of imperials with full crops. This hierarchy is also observed in the Altai region, where steppe eagles have been seen in feeding masses in stubble fields picking out insects, but it would be reductive to consider the steppe eagle largely insectivorous in winter.

Seasonal Shifts in Dietary Preferences

In summary, eastern imperial eagles have a varied diet that includes small to medium-sized mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and occasionally insects. In winter, their dietary preferences may shift depending on the availability of prey, with a preference for easily attainable foods such as carrion, stranded fish, and young herons, storks, and other water birds from heronries.

Conclusion

Eastern imperial eagles are opportunistic predators that adapt their diet to the available prey in their environment, particularly during the winter months. Their diverse feeding habits and behavioral dominance over other raptor species allow them to thrive in a variety of habitats and ecosystems.

References:
– https://animalia.bio/greater-spotted-eagle
– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steppe_eagle
– https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Aquila_heliaca/