The Hindu : Front Page : Where these eagles come to breed and thrive

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Friday, Nov 24, 2006
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Where these eagles come to breed and thrive

Sumit Bhattacharjee

An interesting pair homes in on a university campus in Visakhapatnam

— Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

AT HOME: An eagle on the Andhra University campus.

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Andhra University campus here in this coastal city now has a resident pair of White-Bellied Sea Eagles, the species Haliaeetus leucogaster. According to Bharatha Lakshmi, Professor, Department of Zoology, they are "paired for life." She said: "They live in pairs and hunt in pairs and, most important, they are faithful to each other." For three years now, during the breeding season they live on a tall tamarind tree on the campus.

Eagles are an endangered species, and are covered under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, and find mention in the Red Book as vulnerable birds. "It is estimated that there are about 50 to 60 birds in the Sunderbans area in West Bengal and that is supposed to be a large concentration," Prof. Lakshmi said.

It is a large bird of prey, or raptor, and belongs to the Accipitridae family. It is resident from India through South-East Asia to Australia. It mostly inhabits near the coast and along major waterways. It is distinctive and is known to be the second largest raptor after the Australian Wedged Eagle.

The males grow up to about 75 cm, and females up to 85 cm, in height. The adult has a white head, with the white colour extending to its breast and underwing.

The upper parts are grey and the black underwing flight feathers contrast with the white coverts. The tail is short and wedge-shaped and has striking similarities with its closest relatives, the Bald Eagle and the White-Tailed Eagle. In full flight its wingspan extends up to all of 2 metres.

"It is a large handsome eagle with sharp hazel eyes. The bird is a great hunter and can spot its prey from a great height. It has a strong liking for sea snakes which rise to the surface to breathe... its fishing, especially from a high soar, is quite accurate," said Prof. Lakshmi.

The eagle has characteristic nesting habits. The nest is built by the pair with dry twigs and sticks, and it is laced with green leaves. It is built only for the purpose of breeding (October to February). The nest is big and strong and built on tall trees, at least 30 metres from the ground. After the breeding season, the birds leave to return again to the same nest in the next season. "They rebuild it with care and if at times the original pair does not return, another pair takes over," she added.

The female lays two or three eggs and the incubation period is 40 to 45 days. While the female incubates, most of the time the male stays on guard and fetches food. Occasionally the female goes to look for food, when the male takes over incubation. "They are a perfect couple and made for each other," said Prof. Lakshmi.

Though eagle chicks normally have a steady and fast rate of growth, the mortality rate is high owing to contaminated food and human disturbances. "The birds are sensitive to polluted food and human disturbances. The reason for the depletion of common sparrows in the cities is also polluted food," adds Prof. Lakshmi.

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