Experts from the Bükk National Park Directorate have discovered a white-tailed eagle’s nest of exceptional size, even by European standards, in the Tisza floodplain. The nest, which is over two meters in diameter and up to five meters high, approaches the theoretical limit of known nest sizes for the species, reported Index.
Staff from the South Borsod Region of the Bükk National Park Directorate (northeastern Hungary) stumbled upon a unique natural phenomenon during this year’s white-tailed eagle chick banding season. In the floodplain of the Tisza River, they found a white-tailed eagle nest whose size is considered a rarity not only in Hungary, but also in Europe.
The white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is Hungary’s largest breeding bird of prey, which typically builds its massive nests at heights of 25–30 meters. According to scientific literature, these structures—built from thick branches and continuously expanded over the years—typically reach a maximum height of three meters.
However, the newly discovered nest surpasses all previous records. According to experts’ measurements, the structure’s diameter exceeds two meters, and its height reaches 4.5–5 meters. A nest of this size places a significant load on the supporting branches; therefore, conservationists say there was a risk that the nest could be damaged or even fall, thus with the safety of the chicks growing inside in mind, the experts did not perform the usual banding of the chicks this time.
Nevertheless, the ringing season concluded successfully overall in the region. Following drone inspections, a total of nine chicks in other white-tailed eagles’ nests in the area received identification rings. The data collected in this way contributes to a more accurate understanding of the birds’ movements, migration routes, and feeding habits.
We are proud of the dedicated work of Hungarian conservationists, which often requires significant alpine technical knowledge and experience — they concluded the post, to which they also attached photos of the record-breaking nest and the ringing of the birds.
Via Index; Featured image: Facebook/Bükki Nemzeti Park Igazgatóság
