Türkiye is home to seven magnificent eagle species — from ground-running Steppe Eagles to powerful Golden Eagles.

Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca)

• One of Türkiye’s flagship raptors

• Breeds in Thrace, Bolu and Ankara

• Endangered but recovering thanks to protection efforts

• Anatolia's heavyweight hunter

• Hunts rabbits to foxes

• Cooperates with its mate to ambush preys

• The “snake specialist” 

• Circles high before diving on reptiles

• Common summer migrants, hover at 500m

• Hunts from perches

• Females known for “neighbourly” nest visits

• Favours open forests and hills

• Spring-autumn migrant across Türkiye 

• A rare, vulnerable species

• Fewer than 4,000 remain globally due to habitat loss

• Mostly a winter migrant

• Ground-dwelling of open steppes

• Specialising in ground squirrels

• Unusual habits: hunts on foot, drops stones, scavenges in winter

Images: AI-Generated