Mountain Hawk Eagle

1. Bird Name

The subject of our profile today is the majestic raptor, commonly known as the Mountain Hawk Eagle. Its scientific name is Nisaetus nipalensis.

2. Appearance

The Mountain Hawk Eagle possesses a striking appearance with a coloration that commands respect in the avian kingdom. Their plumage is brownish-black on their back and wings, while their underside exposes a white or creamy color often streaked with brown. One of this bird’s hallmark features is the crest of four to five feathers atop their head. This lends them a distinguished, regal look. The bird’s beak has a powerful hooked shape, designed to tear into prey, and a bright yellow coloration. As for their eyes, they have intense golden irises that seem to reflect their fierce hunting prowess. There aren’t significant differences in appearance between males and females.

3. Size

Mountain Hawk Eagles are medium to large-sized birds, with an average length reaching 69-72 cm (27-28.5 inches). Their wingspan is impressive, usually falling within the range of 5-6 feet. The weight range for these birds is within 2.1 – 3.6 kg (4.6 -7.9 pounds).

4. Habitat & Distribution

The Mountain Hawk Eagle is found across Asia, specifically in the mountainous regions of countries like India, Nepal, Japan, China, and parts of the Korean peninsula. It favors dense forest habitats, usually above 1,000 meters altitude, as it provides amply hunting grounds and seclusion during nesting periods.

5. Interesting Facts

This bird of prey can glide and maneuver through dense forests with surprising ease, despite its large size, which is a testament to their flying skills. The Mountain Hawk Eagle is notorious for its speed and agility while hunting, often swooping down on prey unexpectedly. In Japanese culture, this Eagle is revered and often symbolises courage and strength.

6. Diet

As an apex predator, the diet of a Mountain Hawk Eagle primarily consists of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Their diet is known to include monkeys, hares, pheasants, and snakes. During a successful hunt, they can carry prey reportedly up to eight times their body weight back to their nest.

7. Behavior & Sounds

These Eagles are known for their solitary habits, with territories often spanning over 60 km. An interesting behavior is their dramatic courtship flight, wherein the male executes an eye-catching flip mid-air to impress the female. They are mostly silent, but during breeding seasons they emit a harsh scream that echoes through the mountain forests.

8. Conservation Status

Regrettably, the Mountain Hawk Eagle is classified as “Near Threatened” according to IUCN Red List. Rapid deforestation and hunting for sport or for use in traditional medicine are key threats to their population.

9. Lifespan

In the wild, these birds are known to live up to 40 years. In captivity, their lifespan may extend beyond this, but further research is necessary to confirm this.

10. Additional Notes

In Japan, the Mountain Hawk Eagle is known as ‘Kumataka,’ which means ‘mountain hawk.’ Despite being apex predators, these Eagles play a vital role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems by controlling populations of smaller creatures. Effective conservation efforts are paramount to ensure the survival of this majestic species in the wild.