The changeable hawk-eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus) or crested hawk-eagle is a large bird of prey species of the family Accipitridae. The body is long and thin, the head has a short crest, the wings are broad, the tail is long and round, and there are several black spots on the tail. Brown horizontal spots, dark brown upper body, white lower body, with brown markings.
What does Changeable hawk-eagle look like
The changeable hawk-eagle is a large forest bird of prey. The top of the head to the nape of the neck is white, with brown drop-shaped spots on the tip of the feathers, making the top of the head to the back of the neck black and white, and the forehead is almost pure white. The occipital feathers are slightly elongated to form the crown feathers. The upper back, shoulders and wing coverts are dark brown, with a narrow light brown narrow fringe at the tip of the feathers, the primary flight feathers are dark brown, the base of the inner flap is white, the secondary and tertiary flight feathers are dark brown, with faintly visible black Brown horizontal spots with narrow light brownish white margins. The overlying feathers from the lower back to the tail are sandy brown, the long tail overlying feathers are light brown and white, the outer flap has light brown horizontal spots, and the tail is brown with 5-6 inconspicuous black horizontal spots. Eyes grayish white at first, cheeks and ear feathers light brownish white, embellished with dark brown fine lines. The lower body is white, the breast and belly feathers are stained with light brown, and have dark brown drop-shaped spots and stripes, the flanks, tail coverts and leg coverts are light brown, with white horizontal spots, the wing margins are white, and the axillary feathers are pale Brownish red, underwing coverts white, covered with dark brown spots and horizontal spots; underside of tail feathers grayish white, also with dark brown horizontal spots; tarsus tarsus feathered to base of toes, light brown and white. The iris is light yellow, the cere is lead blue black, the mouth is black, the toes are yellow; the claws are black.
Changeable hawk-eagle habitat
It mainly inhabits various forest types such as evergreen broad-leaved forests, deciduous broad-leaved forests and secondary forests, especially likes to inhabit tall trees near forest margins and open spaces, and also occurs in sparse forests and forests near farmland and mountain villages. above.
Changeable hawk-eagle living habit
The changeable hawk-eagles are resident birds. Often alone, sexually alert. It likes to perch on the highest dead branch of a big tree that is close to the edge of the forest and has a relatively open surrounding, so as to have a good view. When some small animals come to the open area, it suddenly pounces down at a very fast speed , grab the animal with its sharp claws. The cry is sharp and high, like “chir-chir-chir-chir-“, at first the sound is short and then gradually increases to a protracted scream.
What does Changeable hawk-eagle eat
It mainly feeds on small and medium-sized birds such as pigeons, chickens, and small peacocks, and also eats other small animals such as hares, rodents, and lizards.
Distribution area of Changeable hawk-eagle
Distributed in Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
Mode of reproduction
In India and Myanmar, the breeding season is from January to April. Usually nests on tall arbor trees, the nest is formed by piled up dead branches, it is platform-shaped, slightly concave in the middle, with some green leaves inside, usually lays 1 egg, the egg is off-white, without spots or only slightly on the blunt end Sparse red spots, egg size 62-73.3mm x 48.2-54mm, average 69.8mm-59.1mm.