The Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) is a large bird of prey native to southern Europe, central and eastern Asia, and parts of the Middle East. This majestic bird is known for its distinctive black-brown plumage, pale golden crown and nape, and white “braces” on its scapulars. Its life cycle can be divided into several stages, including early life, juvenile stage, and adulthood.
Early Life
The Eastern Imperial Eagle’s life cycle begins with the female laying two eggs, which hatch after about 43 days of incubation. During this early stage, a phenomenon known as siblicide often occurs, where the older, larger eaglet attacks and kills the younger one.
The young eagles are ready to fly when they are around 60 days old, but they continue to be fed by the mother for an additional two weeks until they are ready to hunt for themselves.
Juvenile Stage
Image source: eastern imperial eagle By Koshy Koshy
The juvenile stage of the Eastern Imperial Eagle lasts from the first year until the fourth or fifth winter. During this time, the young eagles disperse widely and may travel thousands of kilometers in search of a territory to call their own.
In North Dakota, for example, radio-tagged juvenile eagles stayed within 5 km of the nest for the first 100 days after fledging, but then traveled an average of more than 5,500 km during their first year. In Switzerland, juvenile birds traveled an accumulated range of 2,000 to 15,000 km², while adults never left their home ranges of 75 to 191 km².
Adulthood
Once the Eastern Imperial Eagle reaches adulthood, it is ready to breed. This species is monogamous and may remain together for several years or possibly for life. Breeding activities take place in the spring, and females lay up to four eggs, which hatch after about 43 days of incubation. Both parents participate in the incubating the eggs.
The Eastern Imperial Eagle is a solitary species, but during migrations, it tends to gather into loose flocks of ten or more. This species is known to travel up to 8000 km during migration.
Diet and Conservation
The Eastern Imperial Eagle is a carnivore and feeds on small mammals, reptiles, other birds, and some carrion. In terms of conservation status, the species is listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This species faces threats from habitat loss, persecution, and collisions with power lines.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect the Eastern Imperial Eagle and its habitat, including efforts to reduce electrocutions and collisions with power lines, and to increase public awareness and education about the importance of this species.
References:
– Aquila heliaca Savigny, 1809 | Species – India Biodiversity Portal. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2024, from https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/239154
– Reproduction and life cycle of the golden eagle – Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reproduction_and_life_cycle_of_the_golden_eagle
– The Imperial Eagle | imperialeagle.hu. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2024, from https://imperialeagle.hu/content/imperial-eagle
– ADW: Aquila heliaca – Imperial eagle – Animal Diversity Web. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2024, from https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Aquila_heliaca/
– Golden eagle – Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_eagle
