Steppe eagle
Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) - символ степи Казахстана. В республике гнездится 68,5-82,2% мировой популяции вида. Численность вида на 2018 год в Казахстане составила 25500-46065 пар. Численность степного орла сокращается (RRRCN).
Conservation status
“Endangered” (EN) listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN);
“Restored, in need of constant monitoring” (Category V) in the Red Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Ссылка на источник) or (PDF File);
Included in Appendix II of the CITES Convention;
Included in the List of rare and endangered animal species of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Appearance
A large eagle with wide and long wings and a short rounded tail. Coloration of adult birds is monophonic dark brown. The flight feathers underneath are the same color as the wing coverts and belly, or darker than them, with a clearly visible transverse striping. There is a white spot on the upper tail. There is a rusty or ocher spot on the back of the head, the size of which varies significantly in different individuals. Young and semi-adult birds have a narrow white stripe on the underside of the wing, formed by large undercoverts of the flight feathers (the so-called “juvenile” stripe), which clearly distinguishes Steppe Eagles of this age from other eagle species (RRRCN).
Species distribution
Breeds in steppes, semi-deserts, and deserts throughout central Kazakhstan. Found everywhere on roaming and migration (Birds.kz).
Threats
- Death from an electric shock on overhead power lines (OPL) with a capacity of 6-10 kV.
- Habitat loss;
- Poisoning in wintering areas;
- Illegal catch and trade;
