Black-chested Snake-Eagle
The Black-chested Snake-Eagle - Circaetus pectoralis - is an African bird
of prey found in Africa from Ethiopia
and southern DRC to South
Africa. It inhabits different habitats, ranging
from semi desert and open grassland to Karoo
scrub and closed deciduous woodland.
Description
The main
identification character of this bird is its dark brown head and chest, to
which it owes its name. In flight the dark head contrasts with the underparts
and underwings, which are white apart from dark barring on the flight feathers
and tail. The upperparts are dark brown, and the eye is yellow.
The female is
similar to, but larger than the male, and the juvenile is rufous.
Call
The call is a
whistled kwo kwo kwo kweeoo.
Food
They feed mostly
on snakes, but will also prey on lizards, small mammals and frogs.
Breeding
A territorial
solitary nester, the nest is built by both sexes, consisting of a saucer-shaped
structure of sticks, lined with green leaves and placed in the canopy of a
flat-topped Acacia. The egg-laying season in South Africa is from June-August. The
female will lay only one egg per clutch, which is incubated for between 50 to 52
days, mainly by the female. The chick is brooded and fed by the female, with
food provided by the male. It eventually leaves the nest at between 90 to 113
days and usually fully independent six months later.
Conservation Status – Least Concern
Due to its wide
distribution this species is not endangered.
Birdwatching
Ask Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures
to create a tour for you or book on one of the following Aves Birding Tour/Safaris/Adventures see these magnificent eagles:
-
Aves Arid Birding
Tour / Safari /Adventure.
Aves Highlands / Tembe Birding Tour / Safari /
Adventure.
Aves KZN Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves North East
Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves North West Birding Tour
/ Safari / Adventure.
Photographed by
Peter Sievers