Warsaw: SiltaNews – News Desk
Rare imperial eagle populations on the rise again in Czech Republic. As part of the LIFE EUROKITE project, three eagle chicks in the Břeclav region have been fitted with transmitters so far, meaning conservationists can now study their migration habits and develop better protective measures.
“These beautiful birds are particularly threatened by illegal persecution. Another problem is unsecured high-voltage poles, which generally pose a major risk to many birds of prey in our countryside,” Zdeněk Vermouzek of the Czech Ornithological Society told Novinky.
Thanks to more consistent protection, experts say the number of imperial eagles is also increasing abroad, including in Austria, Bulgaria, Serbia and Slovakia. It is said the birds will also gradually move into parts of Poland.
Imperial eagle
The imperial eagle is a large bird of prey known for its powerful build and golden-tinged feathers. The combination of the yellowish hue and white shoulder patches has earned it the nickname “imperial,” a reference to the ermine-trimmed robes of European royalty. Eagles of many kinds hold rich symbolic value in Central Europe.
According to a popular Polish legend, the nation’s mythical founder was inspired by the sight of a white eagle with golden-tipped wings and chose the site as his first settlement. He called it Gniezno (from the Polish word ‘gniazdo,’ meaning ‘nest’) and adopted the white eagle as his emblem.
In the Czech Republic, a crowned red-and-silver checkered eagle on a blue field symbolizes the historical region of Moravia. Originating in the 13th century under the Holy Roman Empire, it embodies the medieval association of eagles with power and royal dignity.