Spanish Imperial Eagle
Aquila adalberti
The Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti) is a uncommon kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found in 4 countries, weighing about 3.0 kg. The Spanish imperial eagle, Spanish eagle, Iberian imperial eagle or Adalbert's eagle is a species of eagle native to the Iberian Peninsula.
About the Spanish Imperial Eagle
The Spanish imperial eagle, Spanish eagle, Iberian imperial eagle or Adalbert's eagle is a species of eagle native to the Iberian Peninsula. The binomial commemorates Prince Adalbert of Bavaria. Due to its distinct "epaulettes", old literature often referred to this species as the white-shouldered eagle.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This is a large raptor and quite large eagle, broadly similar in size to its cousin, the eastern imperial eagle, which is found in a considerably different distributional range. Compared to sympatric largish booted eagles, it is somewhat smaller than the golden eagle and somewhat larger than Bonelli's eagle. Spanish imperial eagles can weigh from 2.5 to 4.8 kg (5.5 to 10.6 lb). The average weight of males in a sample of 10 was 3.19 kg (7.0 lb) while that of 17 females was found to be 3.43 kg (7.6 lb). Meanwhile, another sample of 10 unsexed adults weighed an average of 3.93 kg (8.7 lb).
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in April. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Spanish Imperial Eagle?
- This is a large raptor and quite large eagle, broadly similar in size to its cousin, the eastern imperial eagle, which is found in a considerably different distributional range. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Spanish Imperial Eagle?
- The Spanish Imperial Eagle is a huge sized bird weighing about 3.0 kg.
- Where can you see a Spanish Imperial Eagle?
- The Spanish Imperial Eagle occurs in 4 countries, including Spain and Portugal.
- What birds look similar to a Spanish Imperial Eagle?
- The Spanish Imperial Eagle is most easily confused with the African Hawk-Eagle, the Verreaux's Eagle and the Eastern Imperial Eagle.
- Is the Spanish Imperial Eagle endangered?
- The Spanish Imperial Eagle is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Spanish Imperial Eagle for real
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