Changeable Hawk-Eagle

SCI Name:  Nisaetus cirrhatus
Protonym:  Falco cirrhatus Syst.Nat. 1 pt1 p.274
Taxonomy:  Accipitriformes / Accipitridae / Nisaetus
Taxonomy Code:  y00839
Type Locality:  India.
Author:  Gmelin, JF
Publish Year:  1788
IUCN Status:  Least Concern

DEFINITIONS

NISAETUS
(Accipitridae; Ϯ Mountain Hawk Eagle N. nipalensis) Genus Nisus de Lacépède, 1799, hawk; Gr. αετος aetos  eagle; "Genus Nisactus, (mihi.)  The birds of this genus are distinguished by wings and tail formed upon the accipitrine model; but their nares are transverse and speculated as in the eagles. Their festooned bills have a form which is osculant between the hawks and buzzards. They have the long slender plumed tarsi of Limnæetus, and the long, acute, and unequal talons of the noblest hawks and falcons, to which moreover they assimilate in their manners, adhering exclusively to the wilds, and killing their own prey, which consists of pigeons, jungle fowls, and partridges.   Species Nipalensis, mihi" (Hodgson 1836) (see Tolmaetus).
Var. Nisactus (original spelling), Nisaetos.
Synon. Necrastur.

cirrhata / cirrhatus
L. cirratus  curly-haired  < cirrus  curl, ringlet, fringe.
● ex “Tufted Creeper” of Latham 1787 (?syn. Cinnyris jugularis clementiae).
● ex “Tufted Shag” of Latham 1785 (syn. Leucocarbo carunculatus).
● ex “Falco indicus cirrhatus” of Ray 1711, “Falco indicus cristatus” of Brisson 1760, “Faucon huppé des Indes” of de Buffon 1770-1783, and “Crested Indian Falcon” of Latham 1781 (Nisaetus).
● ex “Fourmilier huppé” of de Buffon 1770-1783, and “Black-crested Thrush” of Latham 1783 (syn. Sakesphorus canadensis).

SUBSPECIES

Changeable Hawk-Eagle (Crested)
SCI Name: Nisaetus cirrhatus cirrhatus/ceylanensis
NISAETUS
(Accipitridae; Ϯ Mountain Hawk Eagle N. nipalensis) Genus Nisus de Lacépède, 1799, hawk; Gr. αετος aetos  eagle; "Genus Nisactus, (mihi.)  The birds of this genus are distinguished by wings and tail formed upon the accipitrine model; but their nares are transverse and speculated as in the eagles. Their festooned bills have a form which is osculant between the hawks and buzzards. They have the long slender plumed tarsi of Limnæetus, and the long, acute, and unequal talons of the noblest hawks and falcons, to which moreover they assimilate in their manners, adhering exclusively to the wilds, and killing their own prey, which consists of pigeons, jungle fowls, and partridges.   Species Nipalensis, mihi" (Hodgson 1836) (see Tolmaetus).
Var. Nisactus (original spelling), Nisaetos.
Synon. Necrastur.

Changeable Hawk-Eagle (Changeable)
SCI Name: Nisaetus cirrhatus [limnaeetus Group]
NISAETUS
(Accipitridae; Ϯ Mountain Hawk Eagle N. nipalensis) Genus Nisus de Lacépède, 1799, hawk; Gr. αετος aetos  eagle; "Genus Nisactus, (mihi.)  The birds of this genus are distinguished by wings and tail formed upon the accipitrine model; but their nares are transverse and speculated as in the eagles. Their festooned bills have a form which is osculant between the hawks and buzzards. They have the long slender plumed tarsi of Limnæetus, and the long, acute, and unequal talons of the noblest hawks and falcons, to which moreover they assimilate in their manners, adhering exclusively to the wilds, and killing their own prey, which consists of pigeons, jungle fowls, and partridges.   Species Nipalensis, mihi" (Hodgson 1836) (see Tolmaetus).
Var. Nisactus (original spelling), Nisaetos.
Synon. Necrastur.