BIRDS OF BANDHAVGARH

EAGLES

CRESTED (changeable) HAWK-EAGLE

CRESTED SERPENT EAGLE

Spilornis cheela

SPECIES INFORMATION:

Eggs: 1
Incubation: ? days
Fledging: ? days
Length: 60-72 cm
Wingspan: 130 cm
Weight: ? g

SPECIES INFORMATION:

Eggs: 1
Incubation: 35 days
Fledging: 60-70 days
Length: 55-75 cm
Wingspan: 106 cm
Weight: ? g

DESCRIPTION

Changeable Hawk Eagle is a medium-large raptor at about 60-72cm in length. As its name implies, the plumage is very variable, and the existence of a number of subspecies further complicates identification. Most subspecies have a crest of four feathers, but this is reduced in some races, and is absent in some island forms. The typical adult has brown upperparts and pale underparts, with barring on the undersides of the flight feathers and tail. The breast and belly are streaked. Some birds are much darker. The wings are long and parallel-sided, and are held flat in flight, which helps to distinguish this species from the similar Mountain Hawk Eagle, (Spizaetus nipalensis). Sexes are similar, but young birds are often whiter-headed.

description

Adults have dark brown upperparts and head, and have a hooded appearance at rest. The underparts and underwing coverts are pale brown. In soaring flight, the broad wings are held in a shallow V. The tail and underside of the flight feathers are black with broad white bars. If you are lucky enough to see them soar through the trees you'll be amazed at how large they are. Note their shorter rounded wings and large rounded tail. These give this large bird great agility for whipping between trunks.

Sexes are similar, but young birds have a whitish head, underparts and underwing, the latter showing darker barring. Crested Serpent Eagle, as its English and scientific names suggest, is a specialist reptile eater which hunts over woodland for snakes and lizards.

DIET

The crested hawk eagle takes a variety of prey - mostly terrestrial - including mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs. Prey is taken from the ground, but some birds are also caught in trees.

DIET

The crested serpent eagle is a specialist reptile hunter tackling a variety of snakes and lizards on trees and the forest floor. This eagle will also prey on amphibians, small birds, and small mammals.

HABITAT

The Crested or Changeable Hawk-eagle is found in India, Ceylon and Tropical continental Asia east to Indonesia and the Philippines. Its preferred habitat includes savannah woodland, cultivated land with trees, timbered watercourses and even forest villages and suburban edge.

Habitat

It is a forest bird which builds a stick nest in a tree near water and lays a single egg. They are often seen soaring or perched on a branch or electric wire with a good view, watching for prey.

WHERE TO LOOK

Like the serpent eagles, crested hawk eagles are often heard but it takes sharp eyes to spot them among the dense forest. It’s a fairly common bird of prey in the park.

1. Trees above waterholes thought Chakradhara meadow
2. Trees above waterholes thought Rajbehra meadow
3. Trees above waterholes thought Sehra meadow
4. Bare trees beside all routes

Where to look

Crested serpent eagles are often heard but it takes sharp eyes to spot them among the dense forest. Its a fairly common bird of prey in the park.

1. Trees above waterholes thought chakradhara meadow
2. Trees above waterholes thought rajbehra meadow
3. Trees above waterholes thought sehra meadow
4. Along routes C & E