Rare Eastern Imperial Eagle Spotted at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

A rare migratory bird of prey, the Eastern Imperial Eagle, has been spotted at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve during the 2025–26 winter season. Wildlife experts say the sighting confirms Mudumalai’s growing role as an important winter refuge for long-distance migratory raptors visiting the Indian subcontinent.

Why in the News?

The Eastern Imperial Eagle, a rare winter migrant to India, was sighted at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. This confirms the reserve’s importance as a critical habitat for migratory birds of prey.

Rare Raptor Sighting in the Nilgiris

• A pair of Eastern Imperial Eagles was recorded at Mudumalai by wildlife photographer Murali Moorthy.
• One image also showed the eagle alongside an endangered Egyptian vulture, making the sighting ecologically significant.
• The species breeds in Central and Western Asia and migrates south during winter, occasionally reaching India.

Why Mudumalai Attracts Migratory Raptors

• Mudumalai provides open grasslands, forest edges, tall nesting trees, and abundant prey.
• Studies conducted between 2011 and 2022 recorded around 58 raptor species in the reserve.
• Low human disturbance and varied habitats make it ideal for wintering raptors and other migratory birds.

Ecological Importance

• The Eastern Imperial Eagle is a top predator that helps control rodent and small mammal populations.
• Its presence indicates a healthy ecosystem.
• The species prefers forest-steppe landscapes and open hunting grounds.
• Habitat loss, disturbance, and declining prey threaten its global population.

Conservation Concerns and Tourism Pressure

• Data from eBird between 2020 and 2025 shows regular winter records of the Imperial Eagle at Mudumalai, mainly from November to February.
• Conservationists warn that rising tourist pressure could disturb sensitive habitats. Sustainable tourism regulation is essential to protect migratory and resident wildlife.

Eastern Imperial Eagle – Key Points

• Type: Large bird of prey
• Scientific Name: Aquila heliaca
• Family: Accipitridae
• Subfamily: Aquilinae

Distribution

• Breeds in southeastern Europe, West and Central Asia
• Migratory species
• Winters in northeastern Africa, Middle East, South and East Asia

Features

• Second largest eagle in Europe
• Length: -0.92 m
• Wingspan: Up to -2.14 m
• Weight: -3.6 kg
• Shows reverse sexual dimorphism (females larger than males)
• Colour: Black-brown body, pale golden crown and nape, grey base extending to tail
• Strong legs and feet with long, curved talons for hunting
• Average lifespan: -56 years

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) – Key Points

• Location: Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu
• Area: -321 sq. km
• Tri-junction of States: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala
• Part of the Western Ghats
• Part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve (India’s first biosphere reserve)

Key Summary at a Glance

Aspect	Details
Why in news?	Eastern Imperial Eagle sighted at Mudumalai
Species	Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca)
Migration status	Winter migrant to India
Ecological role	Top predator, ecosystem indicator
Main concern	Habitat protection and tourism pressure

Question

Q. The Eastern Imperial Eagle is best described as:

A. A resident forest bird of India
B. A winter migratory raptor to India
C. A marine bird
D. An endemic species of the Western Ghats