Habitat:
Forest edges, wooded mosaics and open steppes

Activity period :
Primarily active during the day, with peak activity in the morning and late afternoon.

Identification and description:
The Eastern imperial eagle is a large raptor measuring 68–90 cm in body length and spanning 1.76–2.2 m, with dark brown plumage, a pale golden head and contrasting white shoulder patches. It inhabits mature forest edges, wooded mosaics and open steppes across southeastern Europe and Central Asia, hunting primarily small mammals, birds and reptiles by stoop or soaring flight.

Recommended lens:
400 mm – adjust based on distance, desired framing (portrait or habitat), and approach conditions.

Photography tips:
Photograph the Eastern imperial eagle early morning or late afternoon from a concealed hide at a forest edge or in open steppe using a telephoto lens of ≥400 mm. Use a fast shutter speed (≥1/2000 s) to freeze its powerful flight and a shallow depth of field to isolate its dark plumage against the sky. Stay low, silent and keep ≥50 m distance.