Scientific name: Aquila nipalensis Hodgson, 1833
Bird group: Birds-of-prey
Field characters. Length 67-86 cm; wingspan 245-272 cm. Size of Imperial Eagle; more robust and longer winged than Spotted and Lesser Spotted Eagle. Tail a little shorter than Imperial but slightly longer than spotted eagles. Buff-brown to dark brown below with dark barring on paler and greyer flight and tail feathers. Upperwing-coverts also vary in colour but coverts usually paler than flight feathers; diffuse primary patch larger than in spotted eagles. About 75% of the birds have a pale patch on the back and a pale nape. Juvenile has a diagnostic broad white band across the middle of underwing.
Voice. Call resembles the barking of a small dog; also whistles like both spotted eagles.
Distribution. Central Asia with westernmost part of distribution in Europe.
Habitat. Lowland and mountain steppe.
Food. During breeding season specialises on ground squirrels and hares but also takes other mammals, birds, reptiles and carrion; when wintering in Africa adults feed on all kinds of vertebrates and carrion while juveniles mostly take termites and young birds.