Short Communication - International Journal of Pure and Applied Zoology (2020) Volume 8, Issue 3

CHANGEABLE HAWK EAGLE (Nisaetus cirrhatus) PREDATION ON INDIAN GREY MONGOOSE (Herpestes edwardsi) IN MUDUMALAI TIGER RESERVE, TAMIL NADU, SOUTHERN INDIA

Samson A^1*, Rameshkumar A², Ramakrishnan B² and Leona Princy J³

¹Vulture Programme, Bombay Natural History Society, Maharashtra, India

²Naturalist and Wildlife Photography, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

³Department of Zoology and WildlifeBiology, Government Arts College, Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu, India

Corresponding Author:

Samson A
Vulture Programme
Bombay Natural History Society
Mumbai 4000 001
Maharashtra, India
Tel: +919159595178
E-mail: kingvulture1786@gmail.com

Received: 17^th July, 2020; Accepted: 28^th July, 2020; Published: 03^rd Aug, 2020

Abstract

The Changeable Hawk-eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus), is a birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. They were formerly placed in the genus Spizaetus but studies pointed to the group being paraphyletic resulting in the Old World members being placed in Nisaetus (Helbig, 2005) and separated from the New World species. Changeable Hawk Eagles breed in southern Asia in India and Sri Lanka and from the SE rim of the Himalaya across Southeast Asia to Indonesia and the Philippines (Naoroji, 2006). This is a bird occurring singly (outside mating season) in open woodland, although island forms prefer a higher tree density. It builds a stick nest in a tree and lays a single egg (Naoroji, 2006). Feeding is the essential activity for all animals (McFarland, 1981). Basically, it involves the behavior to obtain food, diet and food processing. In raptors who are predominant meat eaters, food influences breeding activities. Further it may limit their survival and population number (Newton, 1991). In this note represented that Changeable Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus) predation on Indian grey mongoose or (Herpestes edwardsi) in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, Southern India.

The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) (688.59 km²) which is located in the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu (110 32’ and 110 43’ N and 76022’and 76045’ E) at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala states. This region consist of Southern Tropical dry thorn forest, Southern Tropical dry deciduous forest, Southern Tropical moist deciduous forest, Southern Tropical semi-evergreen, Moist bamboo brakes, and Riparian forest (Champion and Seth, 1968). It has a high diversity of flora, fauna and also considerable number of Domestic livestock.

On 23^rd June 2018, 10.30 AM we recorded Changeable Hawk Eagle in Moyar Range of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (N 76.665315 E 11.585390 Elevation 917ms) roosting on a fallen tree after a keen monitoring we encountered Changeable Hawk Eagle holding Indian grey mongoose on its talons and started to feeding (Figure 1). Feeding behavior of Changeable Hawk Eagle is consist different kinds of species including mammals, birds and reptiles. According to the literature birds species were accounted more numbers of pray item of Changeable Hawk Eagle followed by Mammals and Reptiles (Table 1) as well as prey preferences would differ depending on seasonal prey availability and different localities (Naoroji, 2007; Fam and Nijman, 2011). Especially in Mammals prey items of Changeable Hawk Eagle mostly prefer herbivores prey like Black napped Hare (Lepus nigricollis), Hispid Hare (Caprolagushispidus) Palm Squirrel (Funambulassp) Flying Squirrel, Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufaindica), Indian Flying Fox (Pteropusgiganteus) and Indian Bush Rat (Naoroji, 2006). In India region very rarely found small carnivores in their diet,Kasambe (2004) recorded that Changeable Hawk Eagle attack on Jungle Cat (Felischaus) in Melghat Tiger Reserve. This present record shows that second known record of Changeable Hawk Eagle predation on small carnivore of Indian grey mongoose. This present record envisages that occasionally Changeable Hawk Eagle predation on small carnivores in Indian region more scientific study is highly warranted to understand the feeding ecology and prey preference of Changeable Hawk Eagle in the Indian region.

Figure 1: Changeable Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus) predation on Indian grey mongoose or (Herpestes edwardsi) in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, Southern India.

Table 1: Pray item caught by Changeable Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus) in India region.

References

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