About the Short-toed Snake Eagle
The short-toed snake eagle, also known as the short-toed eagle, is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, buzzards and harriers. The genus name Circaetus is from the Ancient Greek kirkos, a type of hawk, and aetos, "eagle". The specific gallicus means "of Gallia".
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Short-toed Snake Eagle sounds like
Where the Short-toed Snake Eagle lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Finland, Norway, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Kosovo.
When to see the Short-toed Snake Eagle
Peak activity in September · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Brown Snake EagleCircaetus cinereusTheir plumage about the body is entirely a fairly dark, hazel brown, with some claims of a purplish sheen in certain light conditions.
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)
Side by side: Short-toed Snake Eagle vs Swallow-tailed Kite
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