Eastern Imperial Eagle

The eastern imperial eagle is a large, dark Aquila eagle measuring 68–90 centimetres long and spanning 176–220 centimetres. Females are larger and can be substantially heavier than males. Adults are blackish brown with a sharply contrasting cream-to-golden crown and hindneck, conspicuous white shoulder patches, and a greyish, narrowly barred tail ending in a broad dark band. Its long thick neck, large head and bill, square-tipped tail and fully feathered legs help define its powerful profile. (Wikipedia, general species account)

The species breeds from southeastern Europe across West and Central Asia; many populations migrate to northeastern Africa, the Middle East, and southern or eastern Asia for winter. It favours places where mature woodland meets plains, steppe or other flat open ground, and usually nests in a large tree. Hunting is opportunistic. Small mammals form much of the prey, but birds, reptiles, carrion and other foods are also taken. On breeding grounds it often gives a repeated, deep and harsh barking call. (Wikipedia, general species account)