cemetery - the eagle, whose population has been steadily decreasing, despite the ban on the hunting of this bird of prey.As a result of agricultural activities basic human burial site habitats disappear and the birds have to be selected for breeding a new and often are not the best places close to unprotected power lines.
In addition, despite the official ban in some villages people are still struggling with predators using poison baits, from which killed a large number of animals, including cemeteries.
origin of the name
Based on that, as it is called the imperial eagle, it can be concluded that the name of his he received as a result of that feeds mainly on carrion, but it is not.At the beginning of the XIX century.in Russia it is simply called an eagle.But after the study began active steppes of Kazakhstan and the Aral Sea region, where this bird is often seen sitting on top of the mounds, which are known, are ancient burial places, to the name to add the word "cemetery".
imperial eagle, the name of which in direct translation from Latin means "the sun", as in many other languages - "Imperial", in most areas, formerly part of the Soviet Union, still retains its gloomy image.The fact that the word "cemetery" most people associate with burials, but not with a proud and beautiful bird.Despite the fact that in recent years there are increasing opinion that no harm would be to give the eagle another, more aesthetically pleasing name, no decisive action for this purpose has not yet been taken.
imperial eagle: description
Unlike the eagle, the tail is wedge-shaped, and the feathers on it arranged like a fan, have a direct burial, he and elongated, although the overall similarities between birds can be seen.The body length can reach 85 cm and weighs 5 kg individual.
cemetery - an eagle large enough size.Wingspan it is 215 cm, but this value still can not be compared with a wingspan eagle.Color plumage ranges from dark brown to black.In the region zasheyke feathers painted in pale straw color and slightly elongated.Some individuals may be observed on the shoulders of white spots, resembling epaulettes.
Voice
Compared with its closest relative - the golden eagle, imperial eagle, which is located below the photo, quite noisy bird.Most often it is a deep, gruff voice is heard at the beginning of the breeding season at a distance of a kilometer from the birds.The duration of crying, vaguely reminiscent of a dog barking is often up to 10 syllables.
In the event that burial finds in its territory outside that is in the vicinity of the nest, it utters a warning cry, not paying attention to that, the individual who dared approach the nest, can seriously hurt.
Power
Most notable is the diversity of the composition of feed, which prefers to eat the eagle.Bird burial able to prey on small rodents, the field with the same passion as the large animals.Among the mammals in the food preference is given to hamsters and mice, and among the large animals indisputable preference deserve hares and young, immature predators.Furthermore, repository eats all birds whose weight does not exceed 3-4 kg.
however prefer to nest mounds habitat gophers.As a rule, where these animals are not available, the Eagles do not make nests.A very small number of pairs of eagles have chosen as a permanent habitat lakes located in Kazakhstan and western Siberia, eat local waterfowl, but even they have most of the production is required to make up ground squirrels.
Rodents burial usually catches on the surface of the earth, and the birds - they are just going to take off.On the day of an adult needs at least 600 grams of meat, and in the presence of chicks daily volumes increased significantly, so the repository will never disdain carrion, which will be able to detect.The volume consumed dropped significantly increased in the spring, when there is practically no fresh food.At this time, especially overfly burial place where there might be fallen over the winter, animal carcasses which provide them with food for a few days.
noteworthy that the airborne bird eagle is not interested.Chasing the future victim, it can fly for hours at a sufficient height to production I saw him ahead of time, or watch sitting on a hill, in a role that perfectly serve mounds.
transformation of the adult bird
cemetery - the eagle, the floor of which can not be distinguished in color plumage.Feathers, regardless of sex, dark brown on top and bottom.Thus on the basis of internal webs there is a blurred gray striped pattern.Coverts repeat color primaries, but their tone is much darker.The tail is gray-black marble sheen.The claws and beak of adult birds are black, that only emphasizes its beauty, standing out on a yellow background, is characteristic of the section of the mouth and feet repository.
Chicks covered mostly pale buffy plumage with longitudinal strokes.This flight feathers have rich dark brown color.In subsequent years, they will gradually darken until the ocher tint completely disappear from the color.Change the young bird plumage is a few times and only after it the color will fully comply to the color of an adult bird, burial is considered ready for independent living.
Bird Rookery move freely on the ground, but this phenomenon is quite rare, and it can be seen only in the early morning when no updraft prevents burial ground off.Often the need for landing due to the fact that in the vicinity located slot.In fact, the burial - eagle nesting prefers the desert steppe and forest steppe zones, which could be used for several decades.
couple have chosen a place simply improves nest, chicks to feel comfortable.Nests may be located both on the ground, among the branches of small growing shrubs and trees.However, nesting at the height associated with a certain risk, because the birds are constantly bringing new fastening branches and the tops of trees simply can not withstand the increasing weight and can break.
Reproduction
In that case, if the couple, preparing to have offspring, finds a suitable nest, it builds its own, the size of which the period of completion of construction is 130-160 cm wide and 70-90 cm in height.In subsequent years, the amount of slot will be substantially increased, and it becomes almost a monumental building.
Depending on the habitat egg-laying period lasts from late March to early May.In one slot is not more than 3 egg laying which occurs at intervals of several days.The eggs range from 53 mm to 83 mm, and, regardless of nesting sites, shell matte white with gray or dark spots.It is noteworthy, that if there is a loss of the original brickwork, steam is removed from its place and puts a new nest again.
incubation process is performed, both members of the couple from the first eggs for 43 days.The appearance of chicks takes place in the same order in which the eggs were postponed.Engaged in rearing offspring female, and the male role as the main breadwinner falls food for the family.Around the age of 2-3 months, the chicks begin to leave the nest, but for a long time still return to him to spend the night as long as the do not fly away on her first winter.
What good man brings a golden eagle?
Animal advocates are calling not to touch the nesting sites of these birds of prey and report their findings to the relevant authorities to protect animals.The fact that the burial ground - not only rare, but also useful bird, which significantly reduces the number of small rodents and provides thereby preserving crops.In addition, the eagle eats carrion, which, as is known, can serve as the source of most serious diseases in humans.
cemetery listed in the Red Book of countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, which severely punished any action aimed at reducing the population of the species of birds of prey.
