The eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca) origins can be traced back to the early years of the Holy Roman Empire. It featured on the King's coat of arms and almost all the Imperial princes bore the eagle on their escutcheons as a way of displaying their status as vassals of the King. One of the biggest eagles sighted in India, it breeds in south-eastern Europe and extensively through West and Central Asia. A large, dark eagle, it resembles other members of the genus Aquila but is usually the darkest species in its range.
© BirdsImageStock