Distribution of the species
This species is distributed in North Africa, Asia Minor, the Arabian Peninsula, Central Asia (Pamirs, Tien Shan, Himalayas), China, Korea, Japan and North America. In Europe it breeds in the north up to 70 ° N. and south to the Mediterranean islands. It is a permanent species in Bulgaria, and in the last 20 years its number has stabilized and slightly increased. The most established localities are in Stara Planina and the Fore-Balkans, followed by those in Rhodopes, Srednotundzhansko valley, Srednogorie and Kraishte, Rila and Pirin, Danube plain, Osogovo-Belasitsa mountain group and the Black Sea coast.
Description of the species (biological and ecological features)
In Bulgaria, the Golden eagle size reaches a body length of up to 82 cm and a wingspan of up to 212 cm. In older individuals, the head and the back of the neck are yellowish with a golden tinge, their feathers are pointed and forma a small mane. The rest of their plumage is dark brown with a vague black outline at the end of the tail. Young up to 4 years of age have a dark brown color and large white spots on the wings.
The multiplication period begins in the first half of March. They rarely nest in trees. The female lays 1-2 eggs in April. The young ones hatch at the end of May and fly away from the nest about 15 August. Ground turtles are the preferred food. Remains of hamsters, foxes, hares, birds, snakes and lizards can also be found in the nests.
Their habitats are divided into two types, one of which is hard-to-reach rock complexes or deciduous forests.
Conservation status
Unknown.
Conservation state
The species is included in the Red Data Book of Bulgaria (2015) with category “Vulnerable” (VU), as well as in Annexes 2 and 3 of the Biodiversity Act (BDA). The Golden eagle is listed in Annex I to Directive/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds.
It is also in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – with the category “Least Concern” (LC).
*Note: For the description of birds is used information from: Golemanski, V. & al. (eds). 2015. Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria. Vol. 2. Animals. BAS & MoEW, Sofia [English ed.: ISBN 978-954-9746-22-8 (IBER – BAS), 978-954-8497-18-3 (MoEW)]; Michev T., D. Simeonov, L. Profirov. 2012. Birds of the Balkan Peninsula. Ecotan, Sofia, 300 pp; the website of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).