Changeable hawk-eagle carries Indian giant squirrel in rare capture in Nallamala forest

In a rare wildlife moment captured in the Nallamala forest, a Changeable hawk-eagle was seen carrying an Indian giant squirrel almost equal to its own weight. Wildlife photographer Sriram Reddy and his fellow birder Tulasi documented the sighting near Umamaheshwaram Temple in Nagar Kurnool district.

Sangareddy: In a rare capture on camera, a Changeable hawk eagle, a bird of prey, was captured carrying an Indian giant squirrel in its talons which was almost equal to its weight. Both the Changeable hawk-eagle and Indian Giant Squirrels weigh between one kg and two kgs depending on their age.

Seasoned wildlife photographer Sriram Reddy along with his fellow birder Tulasi went birding to Umamaheshwaram Temple in Nallamala forest in Nagar Kurnool district, where they captured the rare moment. Since they were well aware of Changeable hawk eagle’s habitat in the forest, they had been roaming around the area for quite some time capturing other birds.

---

Suddenly, the Changeable hawk eagle emerged from the green canopy holding the well-grown Indian giant squirrel in its talons. They watched the bird flying for more than 300 metres before it disappeared into the bushes where it probably had the nest.

Sriram Reddy said that it was the first-of-its-kind moment he had ever captured in his more than a decade-long wildlife photography career. He said that the raptor would feed the prey to its chicks. A few years ago, Sriram captured the Changeable hawk-eagle preying on juvenile monitor lizards.