Common Name: Changeable Hawk Eagle
Scientific Name: Nisaetus cirrhatus
Family: Accipitridae
Nepali Name: Sadalchil ( शदलचील )
Size: 61-72 cm
Location: Baridya National Park, Nepal

The Changeable Hawk-Eagle is a large and powerful bird of prey found in the forests and wooded foothills of Nepal, around elevation ranging from 75 to 360 m. It is a highly variable species, with individuals ranging from pale to dark plumage, giving rise to its common name. The subspecies occurring in Nepal, Nisaetus cirrhatus limnaeetus, is the polymorphic Himalayan race and often has a short, inconspicuous crest or may lack one entirely.

Most birds have a dark brown upper body, broad, rounded wings, and a long tail marked with several dark bands. Pale morph individuals show whitish to buff underparts heavily streaked with dark brown, while dark morph birds are almost entirely chocolate-brown. The bright yellow legs are powerful and equipped with long, sharp talons for capturing prey.

In Nepal, the Changeable Hawk-Eagle inhabits subtropical and tropical broadleaved forests, river valleys, and lower montane forests. It preys on birds, reptiles, and small mammals, usually hunting from a concealed perch before launching a swift attack.

Please feel free to comment below if the above species has been misidentified.

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