Locked on target!

Claws sinking into the branch, sharp sight and the acute sense of hearing this crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela) is resting on a treetop in the lookout for its next meal.

These mid-sized flying predators mainly feast on snakes, hence the name “Serpent Eagle”. They are equipped with strong sharp and heavily scaled talons to deliver that killing blow to its prey. It is a beautiful yet lethal creature you can see in most of the Sri Lankan National Parks.

This was captured by our wildlife photographer Mahela Mindaka on a Safari withMahoora Tented Safari Camps at the Wilpattu National Park in May 2019.