Boko, Jan 9: The Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis, or STEA), a winter migrant across the Indian subcontinent, is renowned for its impressive hunting skills. Each year, thousands of these majestic birds travel from their breeding grounds in northern countries to the warmer climates of India, with many arriving in the Kamrup district of Assam during the winter months. This region, especially around Rani, has become a focal point for studying their behaviour, where scientists and birdwatchers alike marvel at the raptor’s remarkable adaptability.
Scientists at the Vulture Breeding and Conservation Centre (VCBC) Rani, Jay Gore and Sachin Ranade, have recently uncovered a fascinating behaviour of the Steppe eagle, a migratory bird species renowned for its strength and agility. Their observations, published in the prestigious journal Indian Birds, shed light on the aerial hunting prowess of these raptors.
Steppe eagles are winter visitors to the Indian subcontinent, journeying thousands of miles from their summer breeding grounds in Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China. This majestic bird, revered as the national bird of both Kazakhstan and Egypt, embodies power and survival in the wild.
Ranade, a leading scientist at VCBC, shared insights into the life of this remarkable predator. “Steppe eagles are top-tier hunters in nature, preying on everything from insects and reptiles to small mammals, and even scavenging on carcasses. They are also aggressive competitors, often fighting and sometimes killing other birds of prey, such as buzzards, kites, and large owls.”
A particularly thrilling observation was made in Rani, Kamrup, Assam, where the Steppe eagle’s aerial hunting skills were on full display. Despite its impressive size—weighing between 2.5 and 5 kilograms and boasting a wingspan exceeding eight feet—this bulky raptor demonstrated astonishing agility. Ranade described the scene: “We witnessed these eagles hunting small, fast-flying birds like swifts midair, consuming their catch on the wing. This level of precision and dexterity is groundbreaking information for science.”
Capturing these moments was no easy task. “The hunts happened high in the sky, and the uncertainty of the eagle’s success made documenting the events even more challenging,” Ranade noted. “Such behaviour reflects a remarkable adaptation, showcasing the eagle’s versatility and ability to survive in the wild.”
Interestingly, these observations are among the few documented incidents of mid-air hunting by the Steppe Eagle. A similar event was recorded in Eilat, Israel, during raptor migration, where the prey was a Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). However, the swifts observed in Assam represent a novel challenge for the eagle—small, quick, and agile—offering a new insight into the raptor’s hunting techniques.
The Steppe Eagle’s ability to hunt and feed mid-air, particularly on such agile prey, adds a fascinating layer to our understanding of its behaviour. These sightings underscore the raptor’s versatility and remarkable hunting skills, solidifying its reputation as one of the most formidable predators of the skies. As winter brings these majestic birds to Assam, researchers eagerly await the next opportunity to witness the aerial dramas of the hunters of the sky.
The discovery highlights the importance of ongoing research into raptors, whose vital roles in ecosystems often go unnoticed. Steppe eagles, with their awe-inspiring hunting abilities and resilience, are a testament to the wonders of the natural world.
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