Steppe Eage (Aquila nipalensis)

This is Albert the Steppe Eagle, named after Steptoe and Son, Albert is 5 years old and has been in an aviary with another steppe eagle for the last 3 years.

Steppe Eagles are a large bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae. It is a resident breeder from Romania, Russia and Mongolia.

This is Ian with Albert the steppe eagle who is now flying free after completing his training.

Description

The Steppe Eagle, (Aquila nipalensis), is a large bird of prey. It is about 62-74 cm in length and has a wingspan of 165-190cm. This is a large eagle with brown upperparts and blackish flight feathers and tail.

This species is larger and darker than the Tawny Eagle, and it has a pale throat which is lacking in that species. Immature birds are less contrasted than adults, but both show a range of variation in plumage colour.

Range

The Steppe Eagle breeds from Romania east through the south Russian and Central Asian steppes to Mongolia. Throughout its range it favours open dry habitats, such as desert, semi-desert, steppes, or savannah.

Diet

The Steppe Eagle's diet is largely fresh carrion of all kinds, but it will kill rodents and other small mammals up to the size of a rabbit, and birds up to the size of partridges. It will also steal food from other raptors.

Voice

The call of the Steppe Eagle is a crow-like barking, but it is rather a silent bird except in display.

Breeding

It lays 1-3 eggs in a stick nest in a tree.Throughout its range it favours open dry habitats, such as desert, semi-desert, steppes, or savannah.