The Iberian Imperial Eagle only prospers and breed well in areas with a high abundance of prey. It is therefore a good indicator of areas in ecological balance and well managed, where high densities of its main prey items occur, namely lagomorphs, medium-sized birds and reptiles.
The European Rabbit, the main prey of the Iberian Imperial Eagle, has suffered a marked decline caused by disease (myxomatosis and haemorrhagic fever) and due to incorrect cinegetic management in some cases, when its populations are overexploited.
The reduction in the number of prey, in particular of European Rabbit, on which it is highly dependent, directly constrains the distribution of the Iberian Imperial Eagle, limiting its choices for habitat and food. In addition, the reproductive success of couples is also affected by their difficulty in finding food for themselves and their chicks, leading to cases of caininsm (when the older sibling attacks its younger sibling(s) due to the lack of food, with the younger chicks usually dying), or the death of chicks by inanition. In extreme situation, the couple may not even breed and abandon their territories.
