Note from Field - Steppe Eagle Hunting (continue)

 Last round we observed 2 hunting method used by Steppe Eagle hunting. Here of which all observation were third year below. You can read the earlier two method here

http://naturecore.blogspot.com/2020/06/note-from-field-steppe-eagle-hunting.html

Nevertheless this season we observed another method was used. This however was a 3rd plumage.

The observation started when the raptor was observed circling and hunting above a few plot of harvested paddy field. While observing the steppe eagle the bird later glided a short distance and stoop down almost vertical to the grown. The eagle only stop when on the ground. This is very unlike the 2 other earlier hunting method observed. We dash nearer to the bird for batter observation. The eagle was already on the ground. Impressively the eagle already gripping tightly to a prey was a rat. We are unsure if the rat was capture alive or was already dead when the eagle caught it but here we make assumption alive and killed.  The eagle stay there for a moment. 

It later flew to a oil palm plantation belonging to smallholder to feed. Again unlike the two earlier method where bird feed on the spot this one did not. It shifted to another area and in this situation a palm oil. Here of which I cannot confirmed if that our present with our car there have placed this scenario to happen or not therefore this will be an assumption we need to make for the time being till further observation can confirmed this back in P. Malaysia

This was unique and different from the 2 earlier observation we have documented. Is this related to their experience where method now influenced by their age and experience such as Greater Spotted Eagle which published in this article "Understanding raptor - Greater Spotted Eagle". This will remain till further research in Peninsula Malaysia can be conducted. Perhaps that will be another story for us to explore.