Hawk Eagle / Simal Burkutu / Bonelli’s Eagle
Bonelli’s Eagle
Status: VI category, Near Threatened, NT: R. One of two species of the genus in the avifauna of the Kyrgyz Republic, inhabiting the nominative subspecies Hieraaetus fasciatus fasciatus (Vieillot, 1822).
Distribution general and in the country. Africa, excluding the sandy areas of the Sahara and regions of humid equatorial forests. Eurasia from the Iberian Peninsula eastward to eastern China. North to southern France, southern Italy, Greece, Asia Minor, northern Iraq, northern Iran, Kopetdag, the Nuratau ridge, Fergana (Karatau), at the Syr Darya near the mouth of the Keles, southern slope of the Himalayas, northern Burma, Yangtze Valley. South to the Mediterranean coast, Palestine, along the Red Sea coast (sporadic in Arabia), southern Iran, southern Pakistan, India, central Burma, southern part of southeastern China. Islands: Balearic, Sardinia, Sicily, Crete, Cyprus, presumably Corsica, small Sundas [2, 7, 19, 20, 43, 70]. In the Kyrgyz Republic, it likely sporadically nests in the south, as the Alai system falls within the range of the nominative subspecies [7].
Habitat. Low- and mid-mountain landscape areas with woody vegetation and rocky outcrops. Avoids high altitudes, descends to plains in winter.
Population. No data on population numbers is available. One specimen is known to have been collected in the Shakhimardan River Gorge in the Osh region [2].
Life style (life cycles). Apparently, a sporadically nesting predator, resident in the southern part of its range. Very rare everywhere. A very strong, bold, and active predator, hunting mammals and birds that exceed its size, either by ambush or active pursuit, often in a duet with its nesting partner. Feeding preferences include large birds and small mammals, such as tolai hares and marmots. May hunt large birds like storks and geese, with a preference for corvids. Builds a massive nest of branches at the tops of trees or on rocky ledges, usually laying two oval white eggs. Both male and female equally care for the offspring [19, 20].
Limiting factors. Increasing anthropogenic pressure on suitable nesting habitats, illegal shooting.
Breeding (keeping in captivity). Not kept in captivity in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Existing conservation measures. No measures have been previously taken.
Recommended conservation measures. Nesting sites of this species should be excluded from active land use and designated as protected areas. It is necessary to clarify the status of this species within the country, map identified nests, and conduct monitoring of the annual dynamics of this species' population.
Сымал буркуту
Bonelli’s Eagle
Hieraaetus fasciatus (Vieillot, 1822), ssp. fasciatus (Vieillot, 1822)
Status: VI category, Near Threatened, NT: R. Probably, sporadically nests in the Alai Mountain System. Prefers forestry low- and midlands with rocks. Avoids highlands, visits plains in winter. No data on numbers is available. One specimen was collected in Shakhimardan River Gorge. Resident bird, very powerful and bold, hunts after mammals and birds, which are larger than itself in size. Rarely heard, builds massive stick platform on trees or cliff ledges. Lays normally 2 eggs, both sexes share domestic duties. Limiting factors are increasing anthropogenic pressure on suitable for nesting habitats, illegal game hunting. No information on captivity holding is available. So far, no measures on conservation of the species are observed. It is recommended to identify nesting sites, exclude them from cultivating business and establish protected areas. It is necessary to map those nests and conduct annual monitoring of Bonelli’s Eagle numbers.
