Crested Serpent Eagle

Latin Name:

Spilornis cheela

Category:

Size:

75cm

Description:

Sexes alike; female larger. Dark brown plumage; roundish, pied crest, visible when erected; pale brown below, finely spotted white; in overhead flight, the dark body, white bars along the wings and white tail-band confirm identity; characteristic call. Solitary or in pairs, flying over forest, often very high, calling frequently; perches on leafy branches; swoops down on prey, snatching it in its talons; raises crest when alarmed.

Habitat:

forested country.

Food:

snakes, lizards, birds, rodents, squirrels.

Distribution:

resident; subcontinent, to about 3,000m in the Himalaya.

The Crested Serpent Eagle appears to be a scarce winter visitor to our area.

Given that they feed mainly on reptiles, which they locate mostly from high perches, it may be that the numerous water snakes are a particular target. The Crested Serpent Eagle has a high pitched and very evocative call which is frequently uttered in flight and from a perch. Its very striking wing and tail banding make it unusually easy to identify in overhead flight and, even when perched, its distinctive bulky shape and fine spotted purplish brown plumage make it difficult to overlook

Call:

Call Description:

loud whistling scream, keee…kee…ke…

IUCN:

Least Concern

National Status:

widespread resident

At IITK:

widespread Resident

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Crested Serpent Eagle