Bonelli Eagle Welfare and Cliff Nesting Habitat in Southern Europe

Bonelli eagles are territorial raptors of Mediterranean mountains and cliff habitats, facing welfare threats from electrocution on power lines, persecution, and disturbance at nest sites.

Key Facts

Bonelli eagles are large, powerful raptors found in southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia
The Iberian population numbers fewer than 1,000 pairs and is of high conservation concern
They nest on cliff ledges or in large trees, using the same nest site for many decades
Electrocution on medium-voltage power lines is the leading cause of death in young birds
Human disturbance during incubation causes nest abandonment and total breeding failure

Welfare Considerations

Bonelli eagle welfare is most acutely threatened by electrocution on un-insulated power line pylons, which causes immediate death or severe burns leading to prolonged suffering and eventual death. Young birds dispersing from natal territories face the highest electrocution risk as they explore novel landscapes. Disturbance at nesting cliffs during the critical incubation and early chick-rearing period causes nest abandonment, resulting in complete reproductive failure and welfare loss for abandoned eggs or chicks. Retrofitting power lines and establishing nest protection zones address both threats directly.

What You Can Do

Support power line retrofitting programmes in Bonelli eagle range countries
Report illegal disturbance of nest sites to wildlife crime authorities
Advocate for mandatory nest exclusion zones around known breeding cliff sites
Donate to conservation organisations working on Bonelli eagle recovery in Spain and Portugal
Contribute sightings to the national raptor monitoring networks in range countries