Distribution, Population Status, Ecology, and Conservation of Eastern Imperial Eagle in Thrace Ecoregion (Bulgaria and Turkey)

Abstract

The Thrace geographical region comprises territories of three states and covers an area of about 70,000 km2 . At the end of the 19th century, the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) was widespread throughout the region, occupying a variety of habitats. The mid-20th century marked the beginning of its dramatic decline, and in the latter half of the century the birds breeding in Northern Thrace amounted to 15–20 pairs, Eastern Thrace harbored scattered pairs along the lower reaches of the Maritsa River, while in Western Thrace the population was estimated at 6–10 pairs only. Since 2005, the intensive conservation activities implemented in Bulgaria have improved the status of the Eastern Imperial Eagle in Northern Thrace.

Keywords

• хищные птицы
• орел-могильник
• aquila heliaca
• болгария
• турция