What is Eastern Imperial Eagle?

About Eastern Imperial Eagle:

• It is a large, graceful bird of prey that breeds in southeastern Europe and extensively through West and Central Asia.
• Scientific Name: Aquila heliaca
• Like all eagles, the Eastern imperial eagle is a member of the family Accipitridae. Furthermore, its well-feathered legs mark it as a member of the subfamily Aquilinae.
• It tends to live in forests, where it will build a huge, conspicuous nest in an isolated tall tree.
• Most populations are migratory and winter in northeastern Africa, the Middle East, and South and East Asia.
• Habitat: Old forests, and the forests in mountains, hills, and along rivers are all common habitats.
• Features:
  • It is a large eagle. Adult total length can range from 68 to 90 cm with a typical wingspan of 1.76 to 2.2 m.
  • The species displays reverse sexual dimorphism as do most birds of prey, in which males are usually smaller than the females.
  • They have a pale golden crown and nape and a greybase that extends to the tail. They also have very apparent white "braces" on their scapulars.
  • Like other eagles, they have strong legs and feet. Their feet include long, curved talons that they use to seize, kill, and carry their prey.
  • They also have large eyes that are located slightly to the side of the head. These eyes provide them with extremely keen eyesight, allowing them to spot prey from high in the air.
• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

Q1: What is sexual dimorphism?

Sexual dimorphism is the systematic difference in form between individuals of different sex in the same species. For example, in some species, including many mammals, the male is larger than the female. In others, such as some spiders, the female is larger than the male.

Source: Rare imperial eagle spotted in Kole fields