Two Curious Cases

Events of predation upon Indian peafowl by Changeable Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus) in Gir Forest, Gujarat.

- Rohit Chaudhary

Changeable hawk eagle or crested hawk eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus) is medium sized old world Accipitrid raptor listed as Least Concerned by IUCN and is legally protected in India under Schedule I of Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. It was previously placed within genus Spizaetus, but is now transferred into the genus Nisaetus based on its lineage, which is different from that of new world hawk eagles. This species inhabits and breeds throughout the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, and occupies extensive range. Crested hawk eagle feeds upon medium size birds, mammals, snakes and lizards (Global Raptor Information Network, 2016). This species is resident and breeds in the Gir forest of Gujarat.