Black-chested Snake Eagle
Circaetus pectoralis
The Black-chested Snake Eagle (Circaetus pectoralis) is a uncommon kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found in 19 countries, weighing about 1.5 kg. The black-chested snake eagle or black-breasted snake eagle is a large African bird of prey of the family Accipitridae.
About the Black-chested Snake Eagle
The black-chested snake eagle or black-breasted snake eagle is a large African bird of prey of the family Accipitridae. It resembles other snake eagles and was formerly considered conspecific with the short-toed and Beaudouin's snake eagles, to which it is closely related.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The main identifying character of this bird is its dark brown-black head and chest, to which it owes its name. It is distinguished from the short-toed and Beaudouin's snake eagles by its uniform white lower underparts, in contrast to the darkly blotched belly of the short-toed snake eagle and narrowly barred lower underparts of the Beaudouin's. In flight, the dark head and chest contrast with the lower underparts and underwings, which are both white except for three narrow black terminal bars on the underwings. The sexes are alike in plumage, although the female is appreciably larger.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in South Sudan, Sudan.
When to see it
The Black-chested Snake Eagle can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Black-chested Snake Eagle?
- The main identifying character of this bird is its dark brown-black head and chest, to which it owes its name. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Black-chested Snake Eagle?
- The Black-chested Snake Eagle is a huge sized bird weighing about 1.5 kg.
- Where can you see a Black-chested Snake Eagle?
- The Black-chested Snake Eagle occurs in 19 countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
- What birds look similar to a Black-chested Snake Eagle?
- The Black-chested Snake Eagle is most easily confused with the Brown Snake Eagle, the Western Banded Snake Eagle and the Southern Banded Snake Eagle.
- Is the Black-chested Snake Eagle endangered?
- The Black-chested Snake Eagle is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Black-chested Snake Eagle for real
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