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Atlas of nesting birds in Bulgaria

Imperial eagle

(Aquila heliaca)

Category of conservation concern (IUCN, 2020) – Vulnerable

Population size: 2020: 29-32 pairs (2007: 30–35 pairs)

Distribution pattern

The main part of the population is concentrated in Southeastern Bulgaria – Sakar, Sliven District, the southernmost parts of the Tundzha and Maritsa rivers, the Derventa Hills, the western part of Strandzha Mountain. It is possible individual pairs to be still breeding in Sredna Gora.

Population estimation for the period 2013 – 2020: During the period 2013-2020, the population of the Imperial Eagle has continued to increase, although not as significantly as in the previous period. Compared to the previous study, abandonment of territories is observed in mountainous areas (Eastern Rhodopes, Sredna Gora, Stara Planina), and after the year 2017 there is practically no known pair of the so-called “mountain eco-type”. The most noticeable is the increase in the Sliven, Yambol and Elhovo fields, where the eagles colonize new territories.

Population size in Special Protection Areas of Natura 2000: 17-21 pairs (59% of the population). Nearly 2/3 of the population is located in the Special Protection Areas, with the highest number found in the Special Protection Areas “Sakar” (11 pairs) and “West Strandzha” (4 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 in broad-leaved deciduous forests and in strips of trees, bushes, and patches of them. Favours small valleys with tall old trees, especially poplars (Populus sp.), often near pastures and other places with abundance of European sedge (Spermophilus citellus).

Trends in population changes for the period 2013-2020

Short-term trend of population size:

Slightly increasing

Long-term trend of population size:

Slightly increasing

Short-term trend of distribution:

Slightly increasing

Long-term trend of distribution:

With fluctuations, disappears from mountainous areas, but increases in the plains.

Threats

Destruction and degradation of food habitats, reduction of food availability, damage to breeding habitats, disturbance during the breeding season, unsecure power grids, poisoning with poisonous baits used against predatory mammals and lead ammunition, poaching, nest robbery.

Dimitar Demerdzhiev, Stoycho Stoychev
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