Rare black-grey ‘Monk’ eagle spotted in Northern Kuwait
Locally called “Bu Abaya” because it resembles a person wearing an abaya, it is one of the largest eagles in the world. Its natural habitat spans southern Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.
Environmental activist Dr. Abdullah Al-Zaidan recently documented a large black-grey eagle in the Al-Salmi area, north of Kuwait, shedding light on one of the region’s most impressive bird species.
Al-Zaidan told Al-Rai that the eagle, also known as the monk eagle and locally called “Bu Abaya” because it resembles a person wearing an abaya, is one of the largest eagles in the world. Its natural habitat spans southern Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.
Explaining the nickname “monk,” Al-Zaidan said it comes from the eagle’s appearance, which resembles monastic attire. He highlighted its distinguishing features — dark feathers ranging from brown to black, a feathered head, a strong beak, a body length of 100–120 cm, a wingspan of 2.5–3.1 meters, and a weight between 7 and 14 kilograms.
The monk eagle primarily feeds on large carrion, uses thermal air currents to fly, and nests in tall trees or rocky slopes, usually laying one egg per season.
It favors mountainous areas, forests, and open plains, but faces threats from habitat loss and poisoning. It is currently classified as ‘near threatened’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Al-Zaidan also noted that other eagles migrating through Kuwait include the Egyptian vulture and the griffon vulture, which play a vital environmental role by removing carrion, helping prevent the spread of disease, and maintaining ecosystem health.
He emphasized that eagles help control pest populations, support ecological balance, and reduce health risks, making them essential to the stability of ecosystems in Kuwait and beyond.
