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ShrublandPlatform nestHuge · 2.0 kg
ID tip
Their plumage about the body is entirely a fairly dark, hazel brown, with some claims of a purplish sheen in certain light conditions. The body colour extends to the wings but for their contrasting unmarked flight feathers which are whitish-grey. The shortish tail, which is most easily seen in flight, is at all ages barred brown and grayish cream. The juvenile is similar in appearance and colour but tends to have very sparse white feather bases, with birds from south of the range apparently showing heavier white speckling, especially on the abdomen and head.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Brown Snake Eagle
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is November, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Brown Snake Eagle
The map shades 29 countries with regular records, and 6 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Central African Republic, Eritrea, Mali, Togo, Somalia, Sudan.
About the Brown Snake Eagle
The brown snake eagle is a fairly large species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is found in West, East and southern Africa. This species is an almost obligate predator of a variety of snakes. A very solitary bird, the brown snake eagle has a prolonged breeding cycle and raises a single eaglet. Although probably naturally scarce, it is classified as a least concern species as it continues to occur over a very broad range.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Black-chested Snake EagleCircaetus pectoralisThe main identifying character of this bird is its dark brown-black head and chest, to which it owes its name.
Western Banded Snake EagleCircaetus cinerascensIt has a total length of 50-58 cm (19 to 22 in) and a wingspan of 120-134 cm (3 ft 11 in to 4 ft 4 in)
Southern Banded Snake EagleCircaetus fasciolatusThe southern banded snake eagle is a rather small, stocky snake eagle with a large, rounded head which has a hooded beak.
Side by side: Brown Snake Eagle vs Short-toed Snake Eagle · Brown Snake Eagle vs Hook-billed Kite · Black-chested Snake Eagle vs Brown Snake Eagle · Brown Snake Eagle vs Western Banded Snake Eagle
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