Increasing Number of Imperial Eagles in Austria

The breeding season of the imperial eagles in Austria has been particularly successful this year. The natural reintroduction of the birds is progressing well, as BirdLife Austria announced on Thursday. In this year's season, 50 breeding pairs successfully raised a total of 81 fledglings. In twelve cases, the parents were even able to raise three young birds. The majority took care of two chicks.

"Our intensive conservation efforts are bearing fruit and the local population of imperial eagles is steadily growing," said Matthias Schmidt, bird of prey expert at BirdLife. "This year, we were able to count 58 territories, which is a good ten percent more than the previous year. In recording the species, we relied on a broad network of dedicated bird of prey enthusiasts, to whom we extend our heartfelt thanks for their commitment."

Lower Austria as a Hotspot

The local imperial eagles (Aquila heliaca) primarily breed in the lowlands of Lower Austria. There, 40 of the counted 50 bird pairs were located. The birds build their nests both in open farmland and in forests. In the floodplain forests, the breeding success was also significantly higher, probably because the birds were less disturbed there.

However, one peculiarity was noticeable to the experts this year: "It is very unusual that some imperial eagle pairs started breeding very late, so their young are still sitting in the nests, whereas they usually fledge and leave the nest from mid-July," said Schmidt. In general, the population is spreading further west. In Lower Austria, on the border with Upper Austria, the world's westernmost known breeding pair of this species is located.

Despite the positive successes this season, threats were also omnipresent. According to BirdLife, several nests, along with their young birds, fell due to storms in June and July. "The majority of the young birds survived the falls uninjured and were mostly continued to be cared for by the parent birds on the ground," said Schmidt. "In one case, dedicated ornithologists supported the young birds with supplementary feeding, allowing them to survive."

Imperial Eagle Norbert Shot

However, the experts also noted poisonings, shootings, and collisions with wind turbines and trains. Since the last breeding season, an imperial eagle named Norbert was shot in the municipality of Pamhagen in Burgenland, and a second bird disappeared without a trace. According to BirdLife, the number of unreported cases is likely significantly higher. The unauthorized and illegal shooting of the birds poses a major threat to the population.

(APA/Red)

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