Wildlifeof Bhutan
Steppe Eagle
Birds of Prey
Photo: (c) موسی مزینانیان Mousa Mazinanian, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Aquila nipalensis
Basic stats
Diet
Specialised predator of ground squirrels on the breeding ground; also other small mammals
Habitat
Nests on or near rises and outcrops in steppe; the only eagle to nest mainly on the ground
Clutch size
1–3 eggs; one or two young fledge
Size
60–89cm
The steppe eagle is a large bird of prey, 60 to 89cm long, a booted eagle with well-feathered, almost dishevelled-looking legs. It is mainly dark brown, with a longish, very thick neck and a relatively small head with a strong bill and long gape line, and it looks long-winged with a longish, rather rounded tail (Wikipedia, general species account).
It makes a massive migration from essentially its whole breeding range, moving in large numbers past major flyways, among them those of the Himalayas. On the breeding grounds it is a specialised predator of ground squirrels, and it is the only eagle to nest mainly on the ground. One to three eggs are laid, and maturity comes between the fourth and fifth years. Declines are worsened by disturbance, persecution and nest trampling by livestock.
Quick answers
- What does the Steppe Eagle eat?
- Specialised predator of ground squirrels on the breeding ground; also other small mammals
- What habitat does the Steppe Eagle live in?
- Nests on or near rises and outcrops in steppe; the only eagle to nest mainly on the ground
- How many eggs does the Steppe Eagle lay?
- 1–3 eggs; one or two young fledge
- How big is the Steppe Eagle?
- 60–89cm