Common name: Steppe Eagle
Scientific name: Aquila nipalensis
Family: Accipitridae

Size:
Body length: 62–81 cm
Wingspan: 165–215 cm
Weight: 2–4.5 kg

Identification:
A large and powerful migratory eagle with broad wings and a long, slightly wedge-shaped tail. Adults are mostly dark brown with a paler nape and contrasting pale patches at the base of the wings. The bill is heavy with a distinctive yellow gape extending behind the eye, an important identification feature. Juveniles are generally paler and show stronger contrast on the wings.

Habitat:
Open deserts, semi-deserts, gravel plains, agricultural areas, and open grasslands.

Status in the UAE:
Common passage migrant and winter visitor. Frequently observed in desert plains, farms, rubbish dumps, and open landscapes during migration and winter.

Diet:
Carnivorous — primarily scavenges carrion but also hunts small mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Behavior:
Often seen soaring high on thermals or resting on the ground in open areas. Regularly gathers at feeding opportunities, including carrion and waste sites. During migration, individuals may occur singly or in loose groups. Plays an important ecological role as a scavenger.

Conservation status:
Endangered (IUCN Red List)