Birds · Accipitriformes · Accipitridae

Mountain Hawk-Eagle

Nisaetus nipalensis

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The mountain hawk-eagle, or Hodgson's hawk-eagle, is a large, powerful forest raptor with a very long erect crest and a densely barred breast. It hunts sizeable prey inside the forest: hares, pheasants, young monkeys and even small deer. In Japan, where its subspecies is resident, it is a cultural symbol and one of the country's flagship species for forest conservation.

Weight

1.8 kg – 3.5 kg

Size

67 cm – 86 cm

Lifespan

25 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

In pairs

Usually lives in pairs, sometimes for life.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

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Fun facts

It is one of the most powerful forest raptors in Asia: it can bring down prey weighing several kilos, including hares, pheasants and young monkeys, hunting in short, precise flights inside the forest.
The Japanese subspecies is one of the country's flagship species for forest conservation, and several woodland management schemes are designed around its breeding territories.
It raises a single chick every two years and needs continuous mature forest, which makes it a direct indicator of the quality of Asian montane woodland.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Temperate and subtropical montane forest of the Himalaya, Japan and southern Asia
Sexual maturity: 4 years
Gestation / incubation: 45 days of incubation
Litter / clutch size: 1 egg

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nisaetus_nipalensis