Bird Guide

Brown Snake Eagle vs Short-toed Snake Eagle

Brown Snake Eagle (Circaetus cinereus)

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
Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)

Short-toed Snake Eagle

Circaetus gallicus

Huge1.7 kgWoodland

These are relatively large snake eagles. Adults are 59 to 70 cm (23 to 28 in) long with a 162 to 195 cm (5 ft 4 in to 6 ft 5 in) wingspan and weigh 1.2–2.3 kg (2.6–5.1 lb), an average weight for the species is about 1.7 kg (3.7 lb). They can be recognised in the field by their predominantly white underside, the upper parts being greyish brown. The chin, throat and upper breast are a pale, earthy brown. The tail has 3 or 4 bars. Additional indications are an owl-like rounded head, brightly yellow eyes and lightly barred under wing.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Short-toed Snake Eagle
Recorded by Benoît Van Hecke · Call · Quinçay, Vienne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Hobbyfotowiki · CC0

Where you might meet both

Learn this pair in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

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