Changeable hawk-eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus) bitten by Paradise Tree Snake ( Chrysopelea paradisi) in a life and death duel Part 2

LW Teo
on 18th September 2021

Tan Ghim Pin was at Pasir Ris Park and documented an eagle bitten in the right eye by a paradise tree snake. However, the eagle was unharmed.  The snake managed to slither away and the eagle searched for the snake amongst the bushes nearby but was unable to find it.  The eagle then flew up to a tree and left the area.

The picture gallery below documents the sequence of events before and after the bird was bitten by the snake.

Eagle with snake at lower right of picture before the attack.
Snake bit eagle once on the lower part of the body.
Snake rearing its head up for another attack.
Eagle was attacked in the eye.
The attack viewed from another angle.
Eagle’s right leg releasing its grip on the snake.
The snake slithered away after the attack.
Eagle stood up and watched the snake make its get away.
Eagle searching high and low for the snake. The eye is unharmed.
The eagle still wants its lunch.
Could the snake be here?
Not amongst the bougainvillea?
Eagle still keeping a sharp eye out for the snake amongst the bougainvillea thorns.
Eagle gave up its search for the snake and flew up to this tree, then flew off to another area.

 

All photos © Tan Ghim Pin.

This post is a cooperative effort between Birds, Insects N Creatures Of Asia and BESG to bring the study of birds and their behaviour through photography and videography to a wider audience.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

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