Steppe Eagle

Aquila nipalensis

(A. n. orientalis)

Armenian Name:	Տափաստանային արծիվ
Species Status:	Threatened Species - Species of Special Concern

See Plate 8 for Steppe Eagle and other similar species See Plate 14 for Steppe Eagle and other similar species in flight

Flight Characteristics:	Long wings, large bill, and bluntly-pointed tail. Extensive fine barring on flight and tail feathers. Adult usually dark brown with blackish carpal patches, and dark trailing edge to wings and tail. Juvenile has uniform pale brown body and pale trailing edge of wing and tail. From above shows broad white rump band and pale wingbar; underwing shows broad whitish central stripe. Underwing stripe gradually darkens with increasing age. Soars on level wings with slightly drooping outerwing and spread tail; glides on bent wings with distinctly drooped outerwing.
Resident Status:	Breeding bird
Abundance:	Uncommon
Length:	65-77 cm, Wing Span:174-260 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 49.
Description:	Huge raptor with long broad wings. Obvious yellow gape-line extends below rear of eye. Tail often appears slightly pointed, especially in juveniles.
Adult:	Dark overall with pale patches on nape and chin, and numerous bars on tail and flight feathers, best seen in flight.
Juvenile:	Wing shows a narrow whitish bar above, and a white trailing edge to the wing.
Similar Species:	Differs from Golden and Imperial Eagles by head which looks all dark at distance. Differs from both Spotted Eagles by larger bill with long gape line.
Behavior:	Frequently seen perched on ground or poles.
Habitat:	Mountain steppe, farmland, and orchards.
Food:	Small mammals, birds, insects, carrion.
Nest:	Flat stack of branches and bones on rock, haystack, or abandoned building.
Eggs:	69 mm, 2, white, unmarked or with brown spots.