Eastern Imperial Eagle:
Wildlife enthusiasts recently confirmed the presence of an Eastern Imperial Eagle visiting the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) during the winter migratory season
- Eastern Imperial Eagle is a large bird of prey.
- Scientific Name: Aquila heliaca
- It breeds in southeastern Europe and extensively through West and Central Asia.
- Most populations are migratory and winter in northeastern Africa, the Middle East and South and East Asia.
- Like all eagles, the eastern imperial eagle is a member of the family Accipitridae. Furthermore, its well feathered legs mark it as a member of the subfamily Aquilinae.
- The species displays reverse sexual dimorphism, as do most birds of prey, in which males are usually smaller than the females.
- Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu, at the tri-junction of three states, viz., Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
- It lies on the northeastern and northwestern slopes of the Nilgiri hills, which is a part of the Western Ghats.
- It is part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, the first biosphere reserve in India.
- The name Mudumalai means ”the ancient hill range”.
