Steppe Eagle

Steppe Eagle Latest News

Recently, western part of Rajasthan has been recognised as a stronghold of the Steppe Eagle, a magnificent raptor that winters in the state.

About Steppe Eagle

• It is a member of the subfamily Aquilinae, also known as the “booted eagles”.
• Appearance: The Steppe eagle is a large, bulky, and robust-looking eagle. It is mainly dark brown in color with a longish but very thick neck and a relatively small head 
• Habitat: It is found in a number of habitats including steppe, desert, semi-desert, open savanna, pastures, agricultural fields, paddy fields, grassland, and open woodland.
• Distribution: It is mainly found in Europe, Asia, and Africa
• It is a specialized predator of ground squirrels on the breeding ground.
• It is the only eagle to nest primarily on the ground.
• It mainly breeds in central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia, it undertakes an annual southward migration as temperatures drop. 
• Diet: Steppe eagles are carnivores and prey mainly on small-sized mammals, with some birds (such as queleas) and reptiles and 
• Threats: The major threats to the Steppe eagle include habitat loss, persecution, wildfires, predation (and trampling by cattle) of chicks.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered

Source: DTE

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