Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetos (Linnaeus, 1758)
Order Falconiformes
Family Accipitridae
Conservation status: in Bulgaria: Vulnerable VU=[B1a + b(V) +D1 + E], BDA-II, III; International: CITES-II, BeC-II, BoC-II, ECS-Spec 3, BD-I.
General distribution. A Holarctic species. It breeds in Europe in the north to 70o N, in the south up to the Mediterranean islands. Distributed in Northern Africa; SW Asia, the Arab peninsula, Central Asia (Pamir, Tian Shan, the Himalaya range), China, Korea, Japan; Northern America. The European population numbers about 8 400 pairs [1].
Distribution and abundance in Bulgaria. Resident. In the middle of the previous century it was extremely rare and about to become extinct [2]. Several decades later the population is estimated at 120 – 140 pairs [3]. In the last 20 years, the numbers stabilized and there is now a tendency for a slight increase. At present, 70 certain and 54 probable breeding habitats are mapped throughout the country [4]. If the other 55 possible breeding habitats from the same mapping are taken into account, the species should probably amount to 120 – 150 pairs. The largest number (46,7%) has been found in the Balkan range and the area in front of the Balkan range, followed by those in the Rhodopes (22,9%), the valley of the middle reaches of the Tundzha River (6,6%), in Srednogorie and Kraishte, the mountains Rila and Pirin (4,9% each), the Danube valley (4,1%), the Osogovo – Belasishka mountain group and the Black Sea coast (2,5% each).
Habitats. Two types: hardly accessible rock complexes (85%) and deciduous forests. The certain breeding habitats are at altitudes from 200 to 2400 m.
Biology. The multiplication period begins in the first half of March. The female lays 1-2 eggs in April. The young ones hatch at the end of May and fly away from the nest about 15 August. Ground turtles are the preferred food. Remains of hamsters, foxes, hares, birds, snakes and lizards can also be found in the nests [5].
Similar species. The Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca).
Negative factors. Disturbance during incubation and feeding the young. Illegal shooting for personal collections, poisoning by placing baits for wolves, jackals and foxes.
Conservation measures taken. Protected according to the Biological Diversity Act. Included in the Red Data Book of Bulgaria (1985). A considerable part of the population nests in the national parks Central Balkans, Pirin and Rila, in the Strandzha Natural Park, etc.
Conservation measures needed. Focused studies of its breeding distribution in the country, preparation of a National Plan for its preservation.
References. 1.BirdLife International, 2004; 2. Patev, 1950; 3. Spiridonov, 1985; 4. Petrov et al., in press; 5. Simeonov et al., 1990.
Authors: Tseno Petrov, Geko Spiridonov, Dobromir Domuschiev, Marin Kurtev
