My Science School

 

The crowned eagle is found in sub-Saharan Africa and is one of the most powerful raptors. This bird can kill animals weighing up to 20 kilograms. Its long hind talon helps it break the prey’s spine.

The head of a crowned eagle is almost triangular in appearance. It has a double crest of brown and black feathers. It is usually found waiting on a branch near a water body, looking for an opportunity to swoop down on the prey.

Crowned eagles hunt monkeys. While hunting monkeys, they fly over the forest canopy until a troop of monkeys can be heard. They hunt in pairs; the male flies high and calls out to get the attention of monkeys in the trees below while the female skims the treetops and grab a confused monkey. These birds usually prefer to eat in the safety of cover.

Picture Credit : Google

Distinguished by its long legs and a dramatic black crest, the secretary bird lives in Africa’s savannas, grasslands, and shrubs. It is four feet tall and flies only when necessary. Two black tail feathers protrude from its grey plumage. Its head is usually bare and is yellow or orange in colour. It moves around on foot and has thick scales which protect it from snake bite.

The secretary bird preys on insects such as locusts and beetles, mammals ranging in size from mice to hares and mongoose, crabs, lizards, snakes, tortoises, and small birds. It does not hesitate to feast on bird eggs, and sometimes dead animals killed in grass or bush fires. It generally swallows its prey as a whole.

Though the populations of secretary birds are spread across a large area, their numbers are generally declining. This bird is therefore classified as vulnerable by the IUCN.

The osprey is commonly known as fish hawk. Ospreys are excellent fishers. Almost 99 per cent of their diet consists of fish. No wonder, they are always seen near water bodies like rivers, ponds and coastal waters.

They typically catch fish that weigh up to 300 grams. They can even catch a fish that weighs around two kilograms! They occasionally feed on rodents, rabbits and other small birds.

It is interesting to watch an osprey catch fish. It hunts by diving to the water’s surface from some 9 to 30 meters up. Its vision is well adapted to detect underwater objects from the air.

An osprey can sight the prey 10-40 m above the water, after which the bird hovers momentarily and then plunges feet first into the water. It plucks fish from the water with curved claws and carries it some distance.

It is interesting to note that the osprey is used as a brand name for various products and sports teams.

Picture Credit : Google