 2007 IUCN Red List Category : Vulnerable
The Spanish imperial eagle is endemic to Iberia They suffered a reduction in population numbers from 1900 up to the 1966 from human persecution leaving only 30 pairs.
Great efforts have been made to prevent their extinction and in the 2007 IUCN red list of endangered species they have been lowered to the status of “Vulnerable”.
Wing span 177 to 200cms. Head to tail 75 to 84cms.
These large eagles have a dark body with a pale head, distinctive white markings on the fore wing and scapulars (shoulders) with a grey band on the tail. The juveniles lack the white shoulder patches and are a more rufous-brown with a cream band on the upper side of the tail. In flight when gliding the wings are held almost flat to slightly raised. The call is a repeated barking "owk". Similar species. would be the Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) which lacks the white "shoulders" and is less dark overall. In flight the Golden eagle holds its wings in a more lifted "V" shape. The Imperial eagle reaches sexual maturity at around 3 to 4 years of age, once a mate has been found they pair for life and can live for around 20 years. Their population range and density is influenced by habitat and privacy but also by the abundance of rabbits which is its preferred food source, forming nearly ¾ of their diet. They are breeding in central and western Spain including; Sierra de Guadarrama and S. de Gredos
Tajo and Tiétar river plains
Extremadura in the central hills
Montes de Toledo
Alcudia valley
Sierra Morena
Guadalquivir marshes There has also been occasional nesting noted in both Salamanca and Málaga provinces There are now also 2 pairs in Portugal and individuals (probably dispersed immature birds from Spanish sites) have been observed around Castro Verde plains of the Alentejo region. Other animals on which they prey are rodents, hares, pigeons, crows, ducks and foxes. Over 70% of the nest sites lie in private land / hunting reserves and so support for their protection has to be gained from the land owners. Poisoning and lead shot were to blame for a large number of deaths. As these raptors prey on rabbits, hares and ducks they were seen as competition for food and therefore shot. Also poisons aimed at foxes may have been ingested. The use of these poisons to reduce predators was made illegal in 1989 but unfortunately continues though to a lesser extent. Another major cause of death was electrocution from power cable towers which has led to improvements to design as a prevention measure. Rabbit populations are being monitored and encouraged as death by viral diseases in these mammals will negatively affect the capabilities of the eagles to successfully raise chicks due to less available prey. Although the numbers are improving it is a slow process and from 30 pairs there are now nearly 200 pairs due to education and monitoring. The juvenile birds are most at risk as they disperse to find new territories away from other adult birds. This pushes them towards human habitation where lies their greatest dangers. At this most critical of times it is incredibly important that the organisations involved in the protection of this species takes time to educate and inform the local populace in terms of the importance of the species and bio-diversity as a whole. large land owners whose properties may be utilised by expanding numbers need to know how to act and be encouraged to support the promotion and protection of the species with financial incentives if necessary.
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