කළු රාජාලියා/කළුකුස්සා [Kalu Rajaliya/KAlukussa] Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malayaensis)

Rather uncommon breeding resident inhabiting forests and nearby open areas from wet lowlands to hills while becoming  fairly commonest in the higher hills. Also occurs locally in isolated forested hills such as Ritigala in the dry lowlands.

Black eagle hunts usually as pairs by sailing slowly along hills, slightly above the canopy level, scanning tree tops for bird nests and adult birds. It has a marvelous skill in circling in and out of small hollows among the trees.

It feeds mainly on bird eggs, chicks and adult birds such as bulbuls, doves and munias and small mammals.

The nest is a huge masses of sticks set on the crown of tall forest trees usually growing on hill slopes, where it lays usually a single egg. The breeding season appeared to be from December to February.

It is usually a silent bird though utters a loud whistling keeeu sound during the breeding season. 

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