Steppe Eagle

About

The Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) is a national icon in Kazakhstan, designated as the national bird and appearing on the country’s flag. The adoption of the Steppe Eagle as a national emblem is unsurprising—more than 85 percent of the bird’s population nests in Kazakhstan. The avian takes its name from the habitat in which it tends to breed, both in upland and lowland areas. In habitats around the world, Steppe Eagles play an important role in nature, helping to control populations of prey animals and to maintain balance in the ecosystems where they occur.

Precipitous declines in populations over the past few decades have landed the Steppe Eagle on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, where it is classified as Endangered. Loss of steppe habitat, collisions with power lines, human persecution, and illegal trafficking for falconry have all contributed to drastically dwindling numbers. In Kazakhstan, the Steppe Eagle population has fallen at an alarming rate, now roughly half of what it was just 15-20 years ago.

The Steppe eagle is a fully migratory species, likely moving in greater numbers than any other eagle in the world. Each autumn, these raptors embark on journeys that can span up to 30 countries across Eurasia and Africa. Their migratory route includes Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Nepal, with wintering destinations in the Middle East and East Africa as well as parts of South Asia. While some eagles winter in neighboring Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, others travel thousands of kilometers farther south. The birds begin returning to their breeding grounds in Kazakhstan as early as February. Many studies suggest that as Steppe eagles mature, they tend to migrate shorter distances than they did in their first years.

Habitat

Threats

Loss of habitat is a major reason for shrinking Steppe Eagle numbers. Historically, Khrushchev’s 1950’s Virgin Lands Campaign intended to transform the enormous acreage of steppe into arable croplands devastated the Steppe Eagle population. More recently, rising temperatures and aridity have contributed to increasing frequency of steppe fires, affecting nests located directly on the ground and in low bushes. Destruction of nests by humans and grazing cattle also takes its toll. Unchecked human-driven development and habitat destruction have not only damaged breeding habitat, but have also reduced the number of safe migration corridors for Steppe Eagles.

Electrocutions and collisions with power lines kill Steppe Eagles in alarmingly large numbers. Studies in Kazakhstan reveal that the Steppe Eagle is the most frequently electrocuted raptor, accounting for one-third to one-half of all powerline bird fatalities.

Illegal trafficking for the falconry industry, deaths from poisoning by agricultural chemicals and rodent pesticides, and reduced prey base also contribute to the species’ mortality.

Conservation

Conservationists and scientists aim to understand Steppe Eagle population dynamics, especially the chief drivers behind their declining abundance, to develop and implement appropriate actions. Further work to better understand and document the Steppe Eagle’s high mortality rate, both on breeding grounds and migration routes, is critical to undertake measures to slow the decline.

Creating protected areas is another way to increase the Steppe Eagle’s population and improve its conservation status. Recommended actions include the establishment of a nature reserve in Betpak-Dala and specialized reserves in Western Kazakhstan, where the Steppe Eagle’s population is higher. Another activity to boost Steppe Eagle populations involves encouraging the birds to adjust their nest-building habits in favor of safer, more protected locations, shielding them from fires and human and livestock disturbances.