At the beginning of the XX century, the Iberian Imperial Eagle was a relatively abundant species in large parts of its range. However, in the last decades, the species suffered a marked decline until the breeding population in Portugal disappeared between the end of the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s.
Individuals were still observed occasionally, mainly juveniles and immature individuals, but nesting was only confirmed in 2003 in the International Tagus region, in the Beira Baixa.
Since then, the species has slowly recolonized the national territory, while still being considered Critically Endangered. In 2018, the national population counted 17 pairs found in the regions of Beira Baixa, Alto Alentejo and Baixo Alentejo.
Iberian Imperial Eagle distribution in Portugal
Imperial Eagle Work Group (2018)
