ML379179431 OBI 38898

Media notes

Remarks: Note the heavily feathered tarsi and the pronounced brow-ridge of the Steppe Eagle. The century old garbage dump at Ranikhet outskirts attracts hundreds of Steppe Eagles in the winter, where they assemble (in groups of 2-3 at times) in open branches for us to study them ad infinitum. All around the place in a quiet surrounding of the pine trees, their presence is felt, and a few are seen criss-crossing the sky as well. The ones descending to the garbage are at risk of being attacked by dogs and monkeys. A person doing a study on Raptors in the area showed me the remains of a SteppeEagle allegedly mauled by the monkeys. Last year I saw a Steppe in the Nainital zoo; the poor creature was restrained in a small enclosure. - DD. Date added to OBI: November 04, 2009.