Short-toed Snake Eagle

Circaetus gallicus

Genus · Snake-Eagles Family · Hawks, Eagles, and Kites
Observation tips Difficulty: HARD
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
GrasslandScrub wasteland

Look for a very pale raptor hovering over dry hillsides. From below, its underparts appear almost white with fine dark barring.

Short-toed Snake Eagle
Stats
Wingspan160–195 cm
Weight1200–2300 g
Length62–70 cm
Lifespan wild10–17 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typePlatform
Clutch size1 eggs
Incubation45–48 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationMigratory
Social BehaviourSolitary

Diet: Carnivore

🐸Amphibians
🐭Mammals
🦎Reptiles
🐍Snakes

Habitat

🌳 Forest deciduous🌿 Grassland🏜️ Scrub wasteland
✦ Fun Fact

Thick scales on their legs provide extra protection when catching snakes, helping reduce the risk of bites from struggling prey.

About

A large bird of prey specialized in hunting reptiles. It has a large, rounded head with owl-like yellow eyes. In Europe, it is a summer visitor to the Mediterranean and Eastern regions. It prefers open, sun-exposed landscapes like dry slopes. It is a long-distance migrant that winters in Africa.

Behaviour

This eagle is a master of hovering. It often hangs motionless in the wind while scanning the ground for snakes. It drops vertically to pin prey with thick, rough-scaled feet. It usually swallows snakes whole, starting from the head. Males perform undulating flight displays during the breeding season.

Similar species

Osprey
🐦
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
Common Buzzard
🐦
Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo
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