The Spanish imperial eagle, Spanish eagle or Adalbert's eagle is a species of eagle native to the Iberian Peninsula. The binomial commemorates Prince Adalbert of Bavaria. Due to its distinct "epaulettes", old literature often referred to this species as the white-shouldered eagle.
Region
Iberian Peninsula
Typical Environment
Occurs mainly in central and southwestern Spain with a smaller but growing presence in Portugal. Prefers open Mediterranean woodlands and dehesa landscapes interspersed with scrub, pasture, and wetlands. Nests on tall trees such as pines or eucalyptus and hunts over open fields, marsh edges, and lightly wooded hills. Avoids dense forests and very urbanized areas but tolerates low-intensity agricultural mosaics when prey is abundant.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Iberian or Adalbert's eagle, it is confined to the Iberian Peninsula and was once considered a subspecies of the eastern imperial eagle. It shows striking white 'epaulettes' on the shoulders of adults. The species rebounded after intensive conservation, including retrofitting power lines to prevent electrocution and protecting key nesting sites. Its fortunes are closely tied to European rabbit populations, a primary prey that has suffered disease-driven declines.
A captive subadult Spanish imperial eagle
Adult Iberian imperial eagle
A Iberian imperial eagle on its nest tending to its eaglet.
Egg, Muséum de Toulouse
Juvenile Iberian imperial eagle in flight
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
soaring glider
Social Behavior
Primarily monogamous, pairs maintain large territories and reuse substantial stick nests year after year. Nests are built high in large trees and typically contain 1–3 eggs, with strong nest defense during the breeding season. Juveniles disperse widely before settling to breed.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Generally quiet, but near the nest gives sharp, repeated yelps and harsh, barking calls. Vocal activity increases during courtship and territorial disputes, carrying over long distances in open country.
Plumage
Adults are dark chocolate-brown with contrasting white shoulder patches forming bold 'epaulettes' and a pale tawny nape; the leading edge of the wing shows white in flight. Juveniles are mostly sandy-buff to rufous with darker flight feathers and lack the full white epaulettes. Tail is dark with subtle barring.
Diet
Heavily reliant on European rabbits, taking both adults and juveniles. Also preys on waterfowl, partridges, pigeons, corvids, and small to medium-sized mammals, and will scavenge carrion when available. Diet composition shifts when rabbit numbers crash due to disease, with more birds and alternative mammals taken.
Preferred Environment
Hunts over open dehesa pasture, edges of Mediterranean woodland, wetlands such as marsh margins, and low-intensity farmland. Uses elevated perches for scanning and makes low, direct attacks across open ground.
