Mountain Hawk-Eagle

The Mountain Hawk-Eagle, also known as Hodgson's Hawk-Eagle, is a formidable bird of prey native to Asia. This species, named after the naturalist Brian Houghton Hodgson, is the largest and most robust member of the hawk-eagles within the genus Nisaetus. It is characterized by a feathered tarsus, a feature of the subfamily Aquilinae, and is distinguished by its powerful build, often erect crest, and feathered legs.

Identification Tips

Adult Mountain Hawk-Eagles are dark brown above with a rusty head marked by black streaks. Their tails are grey-brown with a whitish tip and obscure banding. The underparts are barred with rufous over a whitish ground color, with blackish, sparse stripes on the throat. Juveniles are dark brown with cream to whitish edges on the upperparts and a plain buffy to tawny underside. The eyes of adults are golden or yellowish-orange, while juveniles have pale bluish-grey to pale yellow eyes.

Habitat

This species favors dense hill and montane forests up to the tree line, with a preference for primary evergreen or mixed forests. They are often found near streams and typically reside in various wooded foothills.

Distribution

The Mountain Hawk-Eagle is found throughout the Himalayas, extending from northeastern Pakistan through India, Nepal, Bhutan, and into Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Japan. Its range is not fully understood, with potential breeding populations further north than currently recognized.

Behaviour

The Mountain Hawk-Eagle is an opportunistic predator, varying its prey selection among birds, mammals, reptiles, and other vertebrates. It is known for its agile and fast flight within forested environments, often still-hunting from a concealed perch and stooping down to take prey on the ground.

Song & Calls

During the breeding season, the Mountain Hawk-Eagle emits a shrill treble note, often compared to a penny whistle. Calls include a variety of trills and are used for communication between mates and with offspring.

Breeding

The breeding season varies by region, with nests built high in large forest trees. Clutch size is typically one to two eggs, with the female primarily responsible for incubation and brooding. The young are fed by both parents and remain with the family for some time after fledging.

Similar Species

The Mountain Hawk-Eagle can be confused with the Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Blyth's Hawk-Eagle, Wallace's Hawk-Eagle, and Jerdon's Baza, but can be distinguished by its larger size, more robust build, and feathered legs.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists mainly of small to medium-sized mammals, with a preference for small mammals but also includes birds and reptiles. They are capable of taking large prey, including young ungulates and large birds.

Conservation Status

The Mountain Hawk-Eagle is currently classified as Near Threatened due to habitat degradation and deforestation. The Japanese subspecies, in particular, shows signs of decline and is threatened by loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding depression.