Accipitridae

Birds of prey. Boasts some of the most glamorous big birds among its members.

Eurasian Marsh Harrier (♀)

Harrier,

Himalayan Vulture (In flight)

This was part of a large flock -or is it a kettle - of vultures that was circling the skies over Phobjikha grasslands, displaying their awe-inspiring wingspans. The numbers indicated that this was a very healthy ecosystem.

Vulture,This was part of a large flock -or is it a kettle - of vultures that was circling the skies over Phobjikha grasslands, displaying their awe-inspiring wingspans. The numbers indicated that this was a very healthy ecosystem.

Indian Vulture

Indian Vulture (formerly known as the long-billed vulture) on a tree top at the entrance of the Bandhavgarh national park. Once a regular sight everywhere in India this species has been all but wiped out through the use of the banned Diclofenac in veterinary treatment of cattle. Has been classified as Critically Endangered (CR) by IUCN.

Vulture,Indian Vulture (formerly known as the long-billed vulture) on a tree top at the entrance of the Bandhavgarh national park. Once a regular sight everywhere in India this species has been all but wiped out through the use of the banned Diclofenac in veterinary treatment of cattle. Has been classified as Critically Endangered (CR) by IUCN.

Eurasian Marsh Harrier (♂)

This Marsh Harrier, perched near the road, was surveying the landscape for a hunt when we stopped to take a closer look. Just when he was getting comfortable with our presence an auto-rickshaw showed up, honked incessantly, and made him fly away.

Harrier,This Marsh Harrier, perched near the road, was surveying the landscape for a hunt when we stopped to take a closer look. Just when he was getting comfortable with our presence an auto-rickshaw showed up, honked incessantly, and made him fly away.

Pallid Harrier

Harrier,

Long-crested Eagle

Eagle,

Great Sparrowhawk

Sparrowhawk,

White-bellied Sea Eagle

This is one half of a pair of White-bellied Sea-eagles that nested on a tree right next to the resort we were staying in. It was an absolute privilege to be able to watch them at eye level, as they went about their day.

Sea Eagle,This is one half of a pair of White-bellied Sea-eagles that nested on a tree right next to the resort we were staying in. It was an absolute privilege to be able to watch them at eye level, as they went about their day.

Brahminy Kite (Juvenile)

Kite,

Lappet-faced Vulture

Vulture,

Eurasian Sparrowhawk

The orange iris does make me suspect that this might be a wrong ID. However, I could rule out Besra and Shikra based on the sharp horizontal stripes across the chest.

Sparrowhawk,The orange iris does make me suspect that this might be a wrong ID. However, I could rule out Besra and Shikra based on the sharp horizontal stripes across the chest.

Common Buzzard

Buzzard,

Black Kite (In flight)

Black Kite photographed from Sadashivgad fort near Karwar.

Kite,Black Kite photographed from Sadashivgad fort near Karwar.

Red-headed Vulture

The highlight of this trip was spotting four different species of vulture devouring a carcass of a spotted deer. Three of those were lifers for me.

Vulture,The highlight of this trip was spotting four different species of vulture devouring a carcass of a spotted deer. Three of those were lifers for me.

Shikra

Shikra,

Lesser Fishing Eagle

We see these eagles every time we visit Galibore. This magnificent individual had just returned wet, presumably from a very recent fishing sortie, and was drying its feathers on a dry branch by the ricer bank.

Eagle,We see these eagles every time we visit Galibore. This magnificent individual had just returned wet, presumably from a very recent fishing sortie, and was drying its feathers on a dry branch by the ricer bank.

Eastern Chanting Goshawk

Goshawk,

Black Kite

Scavenging raptor that has become a regular feature in Indian cities.

Kite,Scavenging raptor that has become a regular feature in Indian cities.

Crested Serpent Eagle

Eagle,

Tawny Eagle

Eagle,

White-eyed Buzzard

Buzzard,

Brahminy Kite (Adult)

Kite,

Pallas's Fish Eagle

Fish Eagle,

Lesser Fishing Eagle

Eagle,

Besra

Besra near the Bhadra wildlife sanctuary.

Besra,Besra near the Bhadra wildlife sanctuary.

Black-shouldered Kite (Flight)

Kite,

African Harrier-hawk

Harrier-hawk,

Oriental Honey Buzzard (Female)

This female, possibly looking for prey, perched on the top of a mango tree on a clear monsoon morning

Honey Buzzard,This female, possibly looking for prey, perched on the top of a mango tree on a clear monsoon morning

Crested or Changeable Hawk-Eagle (Pale morph, in flight)

Hawk-Eagle,

Palm-nut Vulture (Juvenile)

Vulture,

Greater Spotted Eagle (Juvenile)

Eagle,

Grey-Headed Fish- Eagle

Grey-headed Fishing Eagle at Kanha National Park.

Eagle,Grey-headed Fishing Eagle at Kanha National Park.

Himalayan Vulture

Vulture,

Greater Spotted Eagle

Greater spotted Eagle flying high over the Mangroves in Mumbai.

Eagle,Greater spotted Eagle flying high over the Mangroves in Mumbai.

Crested Serpent Eagle

Crested Serpent Eagle in Bandipur.

Eagle,Crested Serpent Eagle in Bandipur.

Greater Spotted Eagle (Adult)

Eagle,

Egyptian Vulture (Adult)

Vulture,

Crested or Changeable Hawk-Eagle

Hawk-Eagle,

Cinereous Vulture

Vulture,

African Fish Eagle

Eagle,

Egyptian Vulture (in flight)

Egyptian Vulture flying over the granite rocks of Ramanagara. Shot from our farm.

Vulture,Egyptian Vulture flying over the granite rocks of Ramanagara. Shot from our farm.

Oriental Honey Buzzard (In flight)

Honey Buzzard flying over a highway on the Konkan coast.

Honey Buzzard,Honey Buzzard flying over a highway on the Konkan coast.

Himalayan Vulture

Vultures belonging to three separate species - Himalayan, Red-headed & Egyptian - converge on a spotted deer carcass, presumably killed by a tiger the previous night, in Corbett National Park.

Vulture,Vultures belonging to three separate species - Himalayan, Red-headed & Egyptian - converge on a spotted deer carcass, presumably killed by a tiger the previous night, in Corbett National Park.

Hooded Vulture

Yet another old-world vulture. This one was waiting for a hyena to finish his mail so that it could then clean up the scraps.

Vulture,Yet another old-world vulture. This one was waiting for a hyena to finish his mail so that it could then clean up the scraps.

Long-legged Buzzard

A Long-legged Buzzard surveying its options for the next hunt from the river bank.

Buzzard,A Long-legged Buzzard surveying its options for the next hunt from the river bank.

Himalayan Vulture

Four Griffon vultures sat on the ridge of a small hill by the side of the road on the way to Hanle village.

Vulture,Four Griffon vultures sat on the ridge of a small hill by the side of the road on the way to Hanle village.

Egyptian Vulture (Juvenile)

Juvenile Egyptian Vulture scavenging outside a semi-urban settlement near Mathura. The juveniles have brownish plumage around the head which turns white eventually. The grey legs turn pink in the adult.

Vulture,Juvenile Egyptian Vulture scavenging outside a semi-urban settlement near Mathura. The juveniles have brownish plumage around the head which turns white eventually. The grey legs turn pink in the adult.

Augur Buzzard

Buzzard,

Roadside Hawk

Hawk,

Plumbeous Kite

Kite,

Montagu's Harrier

Harrier,

Shikra (juvenile)

A juvenile Shikra

Shikra,A juvenile Shikra

White-backed Vulture

Has a "Near Threatened" status.

Vulture,Has a "Near Threatened" status.

Shikra (Juvenile)

Shikra,

Bald Eagle

Probably male, perched on the tallest tree on the shore.

Eagle,Probably male, perched on the tallest tree on the shore.

Crested Goshawk

Goshawk,

Himalayan Vulture

Wanted to include this picture just to show how much bigger Himalayan Vultures are compared to crows.

Vulture,Wanted to include this picture just to show how much bigger Himalayan Vultures are compared to crows.

Crested Serpent Eagle (Juvenile)

Eagle,

Short-toed Snake Eagle

Short-toed Snake Eagle flying over my uncle's farm near Mysore.

Eagle,Short-toed Snake Eagle flying over my uncle's farm near Mysore.

Grey-Headed Fish- Eagle

Eagle,

Booted Eagle (Pale Morph)

Eagle,

African Fish Eagle

African Fish Eagle scanning its quarry by the edge of the lake in Amboseli.

Eagle,African Fish Eagle scanning its quarry by the edge of the lake in Amboseli.

White-bellied Sea Eagle (In flight)

As they made repeated trips from their nest to the sea, I got to photograph them in flight almost at eye level.

Sea Eagle,As they made repeated trips from their nest to the sea, I got to photograph them in flight almost at eye level.

Black-shouldered Kite

Kite,

Upland Buzzard

Buzzard,