Fauna
Bird

Spanish Imperial Eagle

Aquila adalberti

Also known as Iberian Imperial Eagle, Adalbert's Eagle, Spanish Eagle, White-shouldered Eagle

Spanish Imperial Eagles reign over the dehesas and oak savannas of the Iberian Peninsula, soaring effortlessly on broad wings in search of prey. Mated pairs defend permanent year-round territories, building massive stick nests high in cork oaks, stone pines, or power pylons. Adults display striking dark chocolate plumage framed by brilliant white epaulettes along the shoulders and a pale creamy nape.

Apex PredatorIberian NativeDiurnal
Spanish Imperial Eagle reference1 / 7
(c) Juan lacruz, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyEuropean Rabbit, Red-legged Partridge, Iberian Hare
Predators
  • Eurasian Eagle-Owl
ThreatsElectrocution on power lines, illegal poisoning, habitat loss, and rabbit disease epidemics
HabitatsDehesas, Mediterranean oak woodlands, alluvial plains, and pine forests
Life span20–25 years in the wild
Classification
  1. FamilyAccipitridae
  2. SpeciesAquila adalberti
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance using optics.
What to notice
Look for large dark raptors with prominent white leading wing edges soaring over Spanish or Portuguese woodlands.
Support conservation
Maintain a distance of at least 500 meters from known nest sites and never use drones near breeding pairs.
Responsible observation
  • Optics Preferred: Use high-powered binoculars or a spotting scope to observe adults from afar without disturbing their behavior.
  • Breeding Season Space: Stay well away from active nest trees between February and July to prevent egg or chick abandonment.
  • Habitat Spotting: Look for soaring birds over open pastureland interspersed with mature Mediterranean oak trees.
Related species
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