A Correspondent
Boko: The scientists of Vulture Breeding and Conservation Centre (VCBC) Jay Gore and Sachin Ranade recently released the story “An interesting behaviour of Steppe Eagle” in a bi-monthly journal “Indian Birds”. “Indian Birds” is a bi-monthly ornithology journal/newsletter that was established in 2004. It was formerly published under the heading Newsletter for Ornithologists for one year. It publishes articles on identification, distribution, migration, conservation and taxonomy, apart from reports of significant ornithological sightings and events. Published from Hyderabad, the publication is owned by New Ornis Foundation.
Scientist Sachin Ranade said that the Steppe Eagle is a migratory bird species in India. With the onset of winter, thousands of Steppe Eagles migrate to the Indian subcontinent. In summer, it returns to the northern countries Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China for breeding. Being a majestic eagle, this bird is the national bird of ‘Kazakhstan and Egypt’.
Ranade further said that the scientists working on the ‘Raptors’ or ‘Birds of Prey’ keep a watch on their arrival to India. These are the top predators in nature – hunting right from insects, reptiles, small mammals and even feed on carcasses. The Steppe Eagles- the hunters of the sky, are aggressive to other hunting birds as well – they are known to fight and kill buzzards, kites and large owls. The eagles are often sighted flying along the flock of vultures.
Ranade emphasized that the Aerial Hunting by the Steppe Eagle was noted at Rani, Kamrup Assam. The observations were published in the recent issue of a well-known journal-‘Indian Birds’.
Ranade said, “Despite being a bulky raptor -about 2.5 to 5 kg weight, and long wing span which is more than 8 ft, the eagles hunt small birds (swifts) in the mid air. They consume the captured food mid air only. This agility of the eagle is new information to science. Constant observations of these aerial dramas were watched with binoculars.”
Ranade added the observations were difficult to record as these incidents took place high in the sky and uncertainty of the hunter’s success by the hunter. This kind of behaviour of the eagle is an adaptation and variation in diet -ultimately making it fit for survival in the wild.
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