Steppe eagles, the vanishing voyagers from Central Asia
The morning mist was rising slowly as we stepped into the ochre-coloured grasslands of Tal Chappar in Rajasthan, known as a haven for birds of prey. Staring across the open expanse, a large silhouette caught the eye. On training the binoculars, it turned out to be a Steppe eagle, the ubiquitous post-monsoon visitor across many parts of India, undertaking long and arduous migrations each year to spend the winter in the temperate climates of the Indian subcontinent, as well as Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa.
A large raptor with a wingspan of over 2 metres, the Steppe eagle (Aquila nipalensis) is a member of the ‘booted eagle’ family, meaning it has feathered legs. As the name suggests, grasslands or ‘steppes’ constitute the bird’s natural habitat. While it mainly breeds and resides in Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia, as temperatures drop in these regions, it undertakes an annual migration southward. Like many migratory species, it has remarkable navigational skills, using the same route year after year, guided by an array of cues like the Earth’s magnetic field, position of the stars and wind patterns to traverse thousands of kilometres. There are a few unique characteristics that set the Steppe eagle apart from other eagles. It prefers to nest on the ground as opposed to the canopy, a factor of its natural habitat, and prefers to walk or ‘strut’ a lot, spending far lesser time soaring in the air like other birds of prey. A specialised predator of squirrels, it also hunts other small mammals like hare and reptiles, and when fresh prey is scarce, also consumes dead animals, or ‘carrion’.
In terms of appearance, it can often be confused with the tawny eagle or the spotted eagle, and an easy way to distinguish it in the field is its elongated ‘gape’ or the end of the beak, and oval-shaped nostrils. Despite its fierce expression, it is quite approachable and relatively tame, and can adjust to a moderate level of human presence.
The Steppe eagle is not just a casual visitor. It provides important ecosystem services. As an apex predator and scavenger, it controls the rodent population and consumes carrion, preventing the spread of diseases and maintaining the health of their habitat. This natural ‘clean-up’ service reduces the reliance on chemical pest-control methods and promotes a healthy ecosystem. Their presence signifies a well-balanced environment with adequate prey availability and minimal human disturbances.
However, the species faces a multitude of threats today. Rapid urbanisation, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development are encroaching upon open grasslands and wetlands, leading to habitat loss and diminishing prey availability. Increasing use of pesticides in agricultural fields is resulting in secondary poisoning, as they consume prey exposed to harmful chemicals. Collision with overhead powerlines and wind turbines is also emerging as a key threat.
These factors have led to a rapid decline in their population. In Kazakhstan, a major breeding ground, the population has halved in just 15-20 years, while surveys in India have revealed a long-term decline of nearly 31 per cent. As the threats to these avians persist, the species has been classified as ‘endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Concerted efforts are needed to protect this keystone species that plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystems across continents. Awareness campaigns highlighting the ecological importance of these raptors can encourage local communities and civil society to participate in conservation efforts. Better enforcement of regulations on pesticide use, and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices can help reduce instances of indirect poisoning.
Driving around a bend in the meandering mountain roads of Uttarakhand, the sight of branches of a pine tree struggling to bear the weight of their occupants made us bring the car to a quick halt. About a dozen Steppe eagles crowded the canopy surrounding a carcass dumping site, far out from their usual habitats or rolling grasslands. Trying to get a clear sighting, one couldn’t help but marvel at their amazing adaptability, travelling mind-boggling distances so nonchalantly, and keeping a diverse range of ecosystems healthy.
Yet, it also felt as if they were clinging to the dwindling branches of survival. Their flight, a testament to the freedom of the skies, now carries the weight of a world struggling to remember that without its wild guardians, it loses more than just eagles. It is up to us to ensure that these majestic creatures continue to grace our skies for generations to come.
