A mother steppe eagle is resting in her nest high up in a tree to protect her brood. However, a predator with hunting skills comparable to that of the eagle has been eyeing her nest and continuously attacking, despite the mother eagle’s presence.
Mother steppe eagle protecting her chicks.
The attacker is a hawk. Although its size cannot compare to that of eagles, the hawk is not far behind in terms of skill. Taking advantage of the mother eagle’s momentary distraction, the hawk swooped in and snatched two chicks away.
The steppe eagle (scientific name: Hieraaetus pennatus) is a medium-sized eagle species found in South Asia and the Palearctic region. They typically lay 1 to 2 eggs per clutch, which the female incubates for 45 days, after which the male provides food.
The female continues to guard the nest against dangerous predators such as hawks, black kites, and gray herons, while the male flies off to hunt. The chicks will develop until they can fledge and hunt for themselves, usually within 70 to 75 days.
