PUNE: A city-based ecologist recently spotted a crested serpent eagle in Parvati. In Aundh, a peacock surprised a resident outside his window recently. A Deccan resident spotted a barn owl from his window on Saturday.Ecologists are now sighting birds, rarely seen in city areas thanks to minimal human intervention following the lockdown imposed due to the spread of coronavirus.Bird watchers and ecologists have noticed a shift in behaviour of birds and animals since the lockdown was implemented. Sachin Punekar, ecologist and founder of Biospheres that works in the field of Conservation Ecology, told TOI, “The quiet in urban areas as a result of the lockdown has attracted a number of non-native or rare birds to urban areas. Three days ago, in the afternoon, I heard the call of a Crested Serpent Eagle and later spotted the lofty bird flying along with Black Kites around Parvati Hill,” he said.He said that generally, birds are most active at sunrise or sunset. “At present, vehicular traffic and other sources of sound and air pollution are low. This has given an opportunity to most bird species to remain active for a considerable time throughout the day,” Punekar added.An Aundh resident, living close to the Mula river said, “On March 23 morning, I saw a peacock and two peahens. These peacocks usually stay on the other side of the river. They crossed the river likely for the first time that day.”Deepak Mohoni, a resident of Kalyaninagar, spotted a bright golden-yellow bird on March 30. “It must have been a Golden Oriole though I cannot be sure,” he said.City-based ecologist Ankur Patwardhan said, “I have been spotting Crested Serpent Eagles almost daily hovering in areas near Dhankawadi as well as the Indian Mongoose. The Crested Serpent Eagle is difficult to spot in crowded areas but the Indian Mongoose is an occasional visitor.”