Eastern Imperial Eagle

This species is defined as a Review Species . Please submit your records of this species via our record submission page .

Scientific Name: Aquila heliaca

Malay Name: Helang Tengkuk Kuning Biasa

Chinese Name: 白肩雕

Range: Found from southeast Europe to central Asia, Indian subcontinent, northwest China, Mongolia and central Siberia with the more northern populations wintering to Africa, Middle East, Pakistan, Indian subcontinent, southern China and mainland Southeast Asia

Taxonomy: Monotypic.

Size: 72-83 cm

Identification: Adult has blackish brown plumage with large head and bill, golden buff supercilium, ear-coverts, nape and hind neck, prominent white markings on upper scapulars and pale undertail-coverts. Juvenile has buffish plumage with distinctive dark streaks on nape, neck, breast and wing coverts (above and below) and dark flight feathers.

Similar looking species: Greater Spotted Eagle, Steppe Eagle

Habitat: Reclaimed land and open country near the coasts.

Behaviour/Ecology: Takes carrion.

Local Status: Vagrant

Conservation Status: Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2019)

Past records in our database:

Showing only accepted records. Records currently under review are also not displayed. For a full list, click here.

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

References:

BirdLife International. (2019). Aquila heliaca. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22696048A155464885.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Jeyarajasingam, A., & Pearson, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford University Press.

Lim, K. S. (2009). The Avifauna of Singapore. Nature Society (Singapore).

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.