A large eagle of open country from eastern Europe across parts of central Asia.
Adults are dark brown with a pale golden nape. A white patch on the shoulders is conspicuous; females are larger than males.
Eastern Imperial Eagles in Bulgaria feed on European sousliks, brown hares, hedgehogs, doves and other animals. Prey records from 1999 to 2021 included mammals, birds and reptiles, and the mix in the diet varied by place and time.
Across the 23-year period, the share of some prey, including European sousliks and brown hares, declined while hedgehogs and doves became more common in the diet. The eagles also used other animals as the food mix changed. The records contained 5,315 prey specimens; the share of hares, poultry, gulls and waterbirds fell while hedgehogs and doves rose.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.
In Bulgaria, conservation proposals include protecting key Eastern Imperial Eagle foraging areas and restoring damaged sites. Their prey changes across places and years, making their feeding habitat important.