Prakruti Parichay
AccipitridaeAquila

Eastern Imperial Eagle

Aquila heliaca

72–83 cmVery Large
Beak
—
Feet
—
Crest
No crest

Winter visitor. Mainly Pakistan and NW India. Large, stout-bodied eagle with long and broad wings, longish tail, and distincdy protruding head and neck. Wings flat when soaring and gliding. Adult has a lmost uniform upperwing, small white scapular patches, golden-buff crown and nape, and two-toned tail. Juvenile has pronounced curve to trailing edge of wing, pale wedge on inner primaries, streaked buffish body and wing-coverts, uniform pale rump and back (lacking distinct pale crescent shown by other species. except Tawny), and white tips to median and greater upperwing-coverts. Voice Gives a sonorous barking owk-owk-owlc; rather silent outside breeding season. A solitary, majestic eagle. Typically spends most of the day perched on a good vantage point. such as a tree, or on the ground. in the region, mainly feeds by robbing other raptors in flight; also eats carrion and small mammals, birds and reptiles taken on the ground. Soars high overhead and can fly at great speeds. Globally threatened. Inhabits open country in the plains, deserts and around major lakes and wetlands.

Colour

WhiteBuff / TanGolden
Average size
77.5 cm
Habitat
Inhabits open country in the plains, deserts and around major lakes and wetlands.
Behaviour
Winter visitor., A solitary, majestic eagle. Typically spends most of the day perched on a good vantage point. such as a tree, or on the ground. in the region, mainly feeds by robbing other raptors in flight, also eats carrion and small mammals, birds and reptiles taken on the ground. Soars high overhead and can fly at great speeds. Globally threatened.

About this bird

Winter visitor. Mainly Pakistan and NW India. Large, stout-bodied eagle with long and broad wings, longish tail, and distincdy protruding head and neck. Wings flat when soaring and gliding. Adult has a lmost uniform upperwing, small white scapular patches, golden-buff crown and nape, and two-toned tail. Juvenile has pronounced curve to trailing edge of wing, pale wedge on inner primaries, streaked buffish body and wing-coverts, uniform pale rump and back (lacking distinct pale crescent shown by other species. except Tawny), and white tips to median and greater upperwing-coverts. Voice Gives a sonorous barking owk-owk-owlc; rather silent outside breeding season. A solitary, majestic eagle. Typically spends most of the day perched on a good vantage point. such as a tree, or on the ground. in the region, mainly feeds by robbing other raptors in flight; also eats carrion and small mammals, birds and reptiles taken on the ground. Soars high overhead and can fly at great speeds. Globally threatened. Inhabits open country in the plains, deserts and around major lakes and wetlands.

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Eastern Imperial Eagle is bigger than Fronted Goose but smaller than Pallas's Fish Eagle.

This bird

Eastern Imperial Eagle

Aquila heliaca

72–83 cm