It caught what was probably the largest rat I've ever seen. When the female tried to steal it, the bird carried it off into the bushes!! The rat was still alive and struggling desperately to escape.
A juvenile Crested Serpent Eagle burst out of the undergrowth and landed on a branch directly overhead. I slipped away quietly so as not to startle it… ^^;
The nictitating membrane of the right eye didn't seem to open fully. There are no injuries, so once its weight recovers it should be releasable back to the wild.
It was huddled in the same spot where I'd seen it the previous evening. It seems it didn't return to its roost and slept on the ground overnight.
I called my mentor and we took it in for care.