Steppe Eagle:
Western part of Rajastan has been recognised as a stronghold of the Steppe Eagle, a magnificent raptor that winters in the state.
- Steppe Eagle is a member of the subfamily Aquilinae, also known as the “booted eagles”.
- The Steppe eagle is a large, bulky, and robust-looking eagle. It is mainly dark brown in color with a longish but very thick neck and a relatively small head.
- It is found in steppe, desert, semi-desert, open savanna, pastures, agricultural fields, paddy fields, grassland, and open woodland.
- It is mainly found in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
- It is a specialized predator of ground squirrels on the breeding ground.
- It is the only eagle to nest primarily on the ground.
- It mainly breeds in central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia, it undertakes an annual southward migration as temperatures drop.
- Steppe eagles are carnivores and prey mainly on small-sized mammals, with some birds (such as queleas) and reptiles and
- The major threats to the Steppe eagle include habitat loss, persecution, wildfires, predation (and trampling by cattle) of chicks.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Endangered
