Brown Snake Eagle vs Hook-billed Kite

Brown Snake Eagle

Circaetus cinereus

Huge2.0 kgShrubland

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.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa · CC BY 2.0

Hook-billed Kite

Chondrohierax uncinatus

Medium286 gForest

It is a mid-sized, slender raptor with a large hooked bill. There is extreme variation in bill size and plumage. Birds from beneath can look blackish or gray (especially males) and brown or brick-red (females) variously. This renders species identification at times extremely difficult. The downcurved hook at the tip of the beak is apparent on perched and low-flying birds. Weight can range from 215 to 397 g (7.6 to 14.0 oz) and length is 38–42 cm (15–16.5 in).

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: John Rosford · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Brown Snake Eagle and Hook-billed Kite.