Atlas of nesting birds in Bulgaria

Booted Eagle

(Hieraaetus pennatus)

Category of conservation concern (IUCN, 2020) – Least Concern

Population size: 2020: 400-550 pairs (2007: 140–200 pairs)

Distribution pattern

Patchy and dispersed distribution almost all over the country, in forested areas in the plains, in the low and middle parts of the mountains. Predominantly in Eastern Bulgaria, with most dense distribution in the Eastern Rhodopes, Sakar and the hilly regions along the Tundzha River Valley, Eastern Stara Planina, Strandzha, Dobrudzha and some parts of Ludogorie. Grouped breeding localities in neighbouring squares in Sredna Gora, Struma River Valley, and the Thracian Plain. In Western Bulgaria mainly with dispersed single breeding sites. Almost absent from the Danubian Plain.

Population estimation for the period 2013 – 2020: The population is stable, probably with a slight increase in some areas. The differences in distribution and numbers compared to previous reporting periods are mainly due to the extended studies of the species, and not so much to some population development.

Population size in Special Protection Areas of Natura 2000: 100-150 pairs (25% of the population). The highest numbers have been registered in the Special Protection Areas “Sakar” (10-15 pairs), “Byala Reka” (8-10 pairs) and “Derventski Hills” (7-10 pairs).

Big size map

Breeding distribution 2013 – 2020 – The distribution and the estimation of the population size of the species for the period 2013 – 2020 is presented –

Comparative distribution of the species compared to the first breeding birds atlas (Iankov, 2007): Breeding locality until 2007 | Breeding locality until 2007, confirmed after 2015 – | New breeding locality after 2015. – The breeding localities after 2015 are identified on a base of raw data from smartbirds.org.

Habitats

Breeds mainly in broad-leaved deciduous forests and rarely in mixed forests or in alluvial and riverine forests and brush (mainly along the River Danube and the Black Sea coast). Its breeding distribution depends to a large extend on the existence of old forests or preserved groups of old trees within younger forests.

Trends in population changes for the period 2013-2020

Short-term trend of population size:

Stable

Long-term trend of population size:

Stable

Short-term trend of distribution:

Stable

Long-term trend of distribution:

Stable

Threats

Destruction and degradation of food and breeding habitats by plowing of grasslands and changes in forest structure, reduction of food sources, disturbance during the breeding season, poaching, nest robbery.

Dimitar Demerdzhiev, Volen Arkumarev