White-tailed eagle population reaches 25-year high in Austria

Austria now has 123 territorial pairs of white-tailed eagles, the highest number since the species returned around 25 years ago, ORF reported. A nationwide count by conservation organisation WWF recorded 82 pairs that had demonstrably bred and 41 others showing territorial behaviour without confirmed breeding. Upper Austria is also seeing growth, with three pairs currently breeding there.

WWF said the figure reflects the success of long-running conservation measures. However, it warned that illegal shooting, poisoning and an increasing number of collisions continue to threaten the species.

WWF species protection expert Christian Pichler called for further measures, particularly to combat wildlife crime and protect suitable habitats.

White-tailed eagles were extinct in Austria from 1946 until 2000. The Waldviertel region in Lower Austria has since become the country’s most important area for the species, with 67 pairs recorded, including 38 breeding pairs. Around half of Austria’s breeding population is found there.

Other populations occur in the Danube floodplains west of Vienna, the Weinviertel, the March Thaya floodplains, the Industrial Quarter and Burgenland. Numbers are also increasing in Styria and Upper Austria.

White-tailed eagles need large trees in undisturbed forests for their nests, as well as nearby lakes where they can hunt fish and waterbirds.

The count found that populations are developing differently across the country. In areas recolonised earlier, including Burgenland and the March Thaya and Danube floodplains, many territories are already occupied, and growth is slowing as numbers approach natural limits. Populations in areas colonised later, such as Styria, Upper Austria and the Weinviertel, are continuing to grow more quickly.

Pichler said the current total of 123 pairs was unlikely to represent the upper limit. Future growth will also depend on whether the existing threats can be effectively eliminated. The count was carried out with the help of numerous volunteers as part of the study Population dynamics of the white tailed eagle.