Steppe Eagle
Aquila nipalensis (Temminck, 1828)
Aquila orientalis Cabbanis, 1857: Reiser, 1894: 115; Aquila nipalensis Hodgson: Patev, 1950: 185; Aquila rapax (Temminck): Simeonov et al., 1990: 195; Simeonov, Michev, 1991: 88.
Order Falconiformes
Family Accipitridae
Conservation status: in Bulgaria: Endangered EN B[1(a)+2(a)]+D, BDA-III; International: CITES-II, BeC-II, BoC-II, ESC-Spec 3.
General distribution. An Indo-African species with a breeding area in Russia, Turkey, Asia, India and Nepal. It winters from Eastern to Southern Africa, Iran, Pakistan, India, Indochina.
Distribution and abundance in Bulgaria. A wandering species. As breeding it was registered only in 1941 near the village of Rogozina, Dobrich region [1]. There have been singular observations in the localities Otmanli [2], the canyon of the river Chernelka, Pleven region [3], near the Sunny Beach resort [4] and during the migration in the different years from 1 to 7 individuals along the Black Sea coast [5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]. Birds were registered after 2001 in the Sliven field, the Besaparski Vazvisheniya (hills) and near Studen Kladenets Reservoir, sometimes staying there for more than a month (I. Angelov, Daskalova, D. Dermendzhiev, M. Kurtev, H. Hristov, personal communication). There have been singular observations in the mountains Sakar Planina (L. Profirov, B. Scott, personal communication), Ovchite Halmove (D. Dermendzhiev, personal communication) and Vitosha (S. Stoychev, Y. Hristov, personal communication). These are cases of non-multiplying, wandering, most frequently sexually immature birds (in separate cases also adults), mainly during migration but also during the multiplication period. During migration it has also been observed along the Black Sea coast and in Dobrudzha (P. Iankov, I. Dimchev, Gerdzhikov, V. Katrandzhiev, personal communication).
Habitats. Steppe and semi-steppe areas [11].
Biology. It breeds on low trees, rocks or on the ground [11]. In Bulgaria it has been observed eating hamsters, that it catches alone or acquires from other species of birds of prey, as well as walk-hunting insects and lizards for hours [I. Angelov, D. Demerdzhiev, personal communication).
Similar species. The Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina), the Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga), the Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca).
Negative factors. In the past, the intensification of agriculture and ploughing at places with secondary steppe vegetation and direct persecution. Threats are: poisoning, risk high-voltage lines, wind turbines, loss of the habitats and the food base.
Conservation measures taken. Protected according to the Biological Diversity Act. Included in the Red Data Book of Bulgaria (1985). The Sliven field, the Besaparski Vazvisheniya (hills), Sakar Planina mountain and Studen Kladenets Reservoir are included in the Natura 2000 national network; monitoring is carried out there every month.
Conservation measures needed. Preservation of the habitats, disallowing the building of wind turbines along the Black Sea coast, the Sliven field and the Besaparski Vazvisheniya (hills).
References. 1. Arabadzhiev, 1962; 2. Balat, 1962; 3. Nankinov, Spiridonov, 1980; 4. Groößler, 1967; 5. Michev, Simeonov, 1981; 6. Prostov, 1955; 7. Prostov, 1964; 8. Profirov, 1981; 9. The Red Data Book of Bulgaria, 1985; 10. Baumgart, 1971; 11. Cramp, Simmons, 1980.
Author: Ivaylo Angelov
