(Last Updated on : 14/09/2015)
Steppe eagle is an Indian bird
bears scientific name "Aquila nipalensis
" considered as the bird of prey.
Structure of Steppe eagle
Steppe eagle is about 62-81 cm in length and has a wingspan of 1.65-2.15 m. Females, weighing 2.3-4.9 kg, are slightly larger than males, at 2-3.5 kg. This is a large eagle with brown upperparts and blackish flight feathers and tail. This species is larger and darker than the tawny eagle, and it has a pale throat which is lacking in that species. Immature birds are less contrasted than adults, but both show a range of variation in plumage colour.
Sound of Steppe eagle
The call of the Steppe eagle sounds like a crow barking, but it is rather a silent bird.
Breeding of Steppe eagle
Steppe eagle breeds from Romania east through the south Russian and Central Asian steppes to Mongolia. The European and Central Asian birds winter in Africa, and the eastern birds in India.
Eggs of Steppe eagle
Steppe eagle lays 1-3 eggs in a stick nest in a tree. Throughout its range it favours open dry habitats, such as desert, semi-desert, steppes, or savannah.
Feedings of Steppe eagle
The feeding of Steppe eagle is largely fresh carrion of all kinds, but it will kill rodents and other small mammals up to the size of a hare, and birds up to the size of partridges. It will also steal food from other raptors. Like other species, the steppe eagle has a crop in its throat allowing it to store food for several hours before being moved to the stomach.