CSE feeding on Vanda

[Atul Dhamankar]

Rare moment: Crested Serpent Eagle feeding on Vanda
First time in my life I saw CSE feeding on Checkered Vanda (Vanda tessellata). This was an unusual sighting to see a raptor feeding on veg. material.
Bandhavgarh TR
May 2001

D80
150-500OS
f/6.3
1/125
iso 400

[Abhishek Jamalabad]

Indeed a rare photograph. Nice record. I never knew these birds feed on Vanda. Any idea why they do so?

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Guys,
Nothing surprising about it. This orchid has got medicinal properties. The roots are supposed to be an antidote for poisoning.

You are all young. Wish you all have a long life and get to experience many fine natural history moments.

This is a rare record.
Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Bibhav Behera]

Thanks for the explanation Sabyasachi. It's amazing how much of knowledge/instinct (??) animals and birds actually have about various plants having medicinal properties and how they identify them...
A nice behavioural shot Atul. Thanks for sharing.

[AB Apana]

Well, I guess it can't be meat all the time, some vegetarian fare is a must :-)

Apana

[Abhishek Jamalabad]

Thanks for the info Sabyasachi, I had no idea about it. :)

[Mrudul Godbole]

Nice behaviour captured. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Sabyasachi, for sharing the information.

[Praveen Siddannavar]

Nice behavior captured Atul

Sabyasachi - thanks for the info, it is quite useful to all

[Nikhilesh Mahakur]

Good capture and interesting info.