Eagles in Hong Kong and Happy New Year. Mai Po marshes nature reserve is a great place to see eagles as they migrate....and I was lucky to see this special guest, the endangered and vulnerable eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca). I do hope I can see more this year.....
These photos were taken on the 9th and 13th November 2020.
There are two different birds here, at least, with the one below a Juvenile with different wing markings
Worldwide the eastern imperial eagle is listed as vulnerable,. The usual suspects of habitat loss and prey depletion play a big part in endangering the species, but more direct threats from humans are often cited.
These birds are nomadic. They hitch a ride on the dramatic migrations of gentler birds, picking them off, as predators do. In Mai Po they have ducks and egrets and other birds to provide their feasts.
Here you can see the distinctive heavy feathered legs of a big eagle.
