Bonelli's Eagle
Hieraaetus fasciatusVieillot, 1822
Aquila Bonneli:Peshev, Boev, 1962: 300.
Order Falconiformes
Family Accipitridae
Conservation status: in Bulgaria: Critically endangered CR=[B1(a)+b(iii)] + D, BDA-II, III (I); International: CITES-II, BeC-II, BoC-II, ECS-Spec 3, BD-I.
General distribution. An Indo-African species. It breeds in Southern Europe, large parts of Africa, the Near East and the Middle East, India, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Southeastern China. The European population is 920 – 1 100 pairs.
Distribution and abundance in Bulgaria. A rare resident and wandering species. Reported at the beginning of the 20th century for the region of the town of Svilengrad [1]. On 22 May 1938, a nest with 2 young ones was found near the village of Zhalti Chal, Kardzhali region. There have been singular observations for the Frangensko Plateau, near the village of Iskra, Parvomay region, the city of Veliko Tarnovo, the Rila mountain [2]. After 1985, there were 27 observations from Southern Bulgaria and the Black Sea coast [3]. It has been reported as probably breeding in the Eastern and the Central Rhodopes (1-2 pairs), with certain breeding for the Central Rhodopes [3, 4]. With a lower probability, it nests in the border parts of the Southern Pirin mountain: Slavyanka – Belasitsa [5] and the plateaus Frangensko and Provadiysko. Three observations were registered for the 1985-2002 period [6]. Out of the breeding period, singular birds [7, 8, 9] along the Black Sea coast between 30 August and 27 October have been observed.
Habitats. Dry rocky regions with thinned deciduous forests and river valleys.
Biology. It nests on rocks; 2 young ones; in May, in neoptyle plumage. It manifests an especially marked predisposition to territory. Mainly ornithophagous.
Similar species. The Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus).
Negative factors. Unstudied. Probably the depopulation of the areas where it was found and a reduction of the nutrition basis, deforestation [10], low density and speed of growth, the peripheral location in the area.
Conservation measures taken. Protected according to the Biological Diversity Act. An international Action Plan, including Bulgaria [11]. Regular monitoring in the Eastern Rhodopes is carried out. Places of key significance declared as Important Bird Areas [12] and proposed for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network [13], some are included in the protected territories [14].
Conservation measures needed. Development and implementation of a National Plan for its conservation. Ensuring the preservation and the development of extensive agricuture in the key regions through regional strategies and plans. Increase of the information level of the employees in the forestries, of policemen, customs officers and security personnel in the protected territories for preventing attacks against the species. Studies of the state of its population, carrying out monitoring activities. Development Management Plans for the protected areas and territories in which it is found. Declaring the Eastern and the Western Rhodopes natural parks.
References. 1. Wallis, 1913; 2. The Red Data Book of Bulgaria, 1985; 3. Ornithological Database, BSPB; 4. Iankov, in press; 5. K. Ruskov, E. Stoynov, N. Stefanov, unpubl. data; 6. E. Krustenyakova, V. Katrandzhiev, unpubl. data; 7. Simeonov et al., 1990; 8. Ruskov, 1998; 9. Zalles, Bildstein, 2000; 10. P. Iankov, unpubl. data; 11. Arroyo, Ferreiro, 2000; 12. Kostadinova, 1997; 13. Kostadinova, Gramatikov, in press; 14. Stoychev, Petrova, 2003.
Author: Petar Iankov
