Bird Guide

Short-toed Snake Eagle vs Swallow-tailed Kite

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

Recording: Benoît Van Hecke · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: (c) Vijay Vanaparthy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Vijay Vanaparthy · cc-by
Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Large416 gForest

The species is 50 to 68 cm (20 to 27 in) in length, with a wingspan of approximately 1.12–1.36 m (3.7–4.5 ft). Male and female individuals appear similar. The body weight is 310–600 g (11–21 oz). The body is a contrasting deep black and white. The flight feathers, tail, feet, bill are all black. Another characteristic is the elongated, forked tail at 27.5–37 cm (10.8–14.6 in) long, hence the name swallow-tailed. The wings are also relatively elongated, as the wing chord measures 39–45 cm (15–18 in). The tarsus is fairly short for the size of the bird at 3.3 cm (1.3 in).

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Andy Morffew from Itchen Abbas, Hampshire, UK · CC BY 2.0

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