Kabini, an expansive water body surrounded by thick forests rich in flora and fauna invite avian guests from all over. On any safari here, you are sure to spot a number of avian predators like the eagles, harriers, kites, falcons etc.

On our safari today, we were fortunate enough to get a closer look at some of the avian predators of Kabini. Avian hunters are also known as raptors. The term ‘raptor’, used for all birds of prey, is derived from the Latin word rapture meaning ‘to seize and carry away’. The characteristics which differentiate raptors from other species of birds are their armouries, or the tools of their trade: a hooked bill with a sharp cutting edge for tearing flesh; strong legs and powerful talons for killing the prey. Like all true predators, they are capable of carrying prey well in excess of their own body weights.

As we proceeded on our safari, we were welcomed by a Brahminy Kite perched atop a dry log. Instantly I clicked a shot!

Brahminy Kite (Haliastur Indus)

Brahminy Kite is a medium-sized bird of prey which is also known as the Red-backed Sea-eagle. Distinctive and contrastingly coloured, with chestnut plumage except for the white head, breast and black wing tips, Brahminy Kite is an opportunist scavenger, feeding mainly on dead fish and crabs, but occasionally also hunting live prey such as hares and bats.

As we moved on, we came across another raptor, the Osprey.

The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Primarily a winter migrant, Ospreys are found singly, widely scattered at large bodies of water such as lakes and dammed reservoirs etc. The Osprey, sometimes also known as the Sea Hawk, Fishhawk or the Fish Eagle, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching 60 centimetres (24 in) in length with upto 1.8 metre (6 ft) of wingspan.

As its other common name suggests, the Osprey’s diet consists almost exclusively of fish. In flight, the osprey bends its wings like an arch, giving it a gull-like look.

Just as we were enjoying this avian friend’s sudden flight with a fish in its talons, we noticed another fish eater: the Grey-headed Fish Eagle.

Grey-headed Fish Eagle (Ichtyophaga ichthyaetus)

A resident throughout the subcontinent, Grey-headed Fish Eagle is a largish stocky raptor at about 70-75 cm in length. As its name suggests, Grey-headed Fish Eagle is a specialist fish eater which hunts over lakes, lagoons and large rivers.

We were not done yet! As we moved on our safari, we spotted more raptors! This time it was the Changeable Hawk Eagle.

Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus cirrhatus)

This raptor, also known as Crested Hawk-eagle, is a medium-sized raptor that is seen singly in open woodland except for the mating season. It builds a stick nest in a tree and lays a single egg.

These excellent predators like to keep a sharp lookout for their ill-fated prey, perched atop high trees standing near a forest clearing. There they wait for jungle fowls, pheasants, hares and other small animals coming out into the open. The bird then swoops down forcefully, strikes, and bears the prey away in its talons.

We were excited to see another raptor perched atop a tree on the boat safari. I excitedly informed our guests about our new visitor: the Peregrine Falcon.

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus calidus)

This falcon is the fastest bird on earth at a speed of over 320 Km/h in a stoop and here at Kabini, is a winter migrant capable of long flights. Its diet consists almost exclusively of medium-sized birds; however, the Peregrine Falcon will occasionally hunt smaller mammals, reptiles or even insects. It nests in a scrape, normally on cliff edges or, in recent times, on tall human-made structures.

As we were about to wrap up our safari for the day, we were lucky enough to spot another raptor! The Western Marsh Harrier is a typical harrier, with long wings held in a shallow ‘V’ shape in its low flight.

Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

It also resembles other harriers in having distinct male and female plumages. Like all marsh harriers, it prefers open, wet environments, and is frequently seen drifting low over rice fields, interspersing long, watchful circling glides with two or three slow, powerful wing beats.

Our safari today was filled with colors and excitement of a different sort. At the end of the safari, our guests were of the opinion that birding at Kabini is equally gratifying, if not for the occasional sightings of the prince of the jungle!

This entry was posted on Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 4:00 pm and is filed under Birds. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.