Home › Aves › Accipitridae › Crested Serpent-Eagle (Spilornis cheela)
SPECIES PROFILE
Crested Serpent-Eagle (Spilornis cheela)
Spilornis
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
DIET
Insectivorous
HABITAT
Forests wooded hills near water
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Accipitriformes
FAMILY
Accipitridae
GENUS
Spilornis
📋 Description
SIZE
56-74 cm long 400-900 g
COLORATION
Brown with white spots crest yellow face
ADAPTATIONS
Powerful talons for snake hunting soaring flight
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Forests wooded hills near water
DIET
Insectivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
REPRODUCTION
Lays 1 egg in tree nests incubated 35-40 days
DIET DETAILS
Snakes lizards small birds
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Deforestation human conflict
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Snake Hunters: Crested Serpent-Eagles soar with 700-gram bodies eating 150 grams of snakes daily in Kerala's forests. Their crests signal alertness.
2
Forest Guardians: These eagles cover 3000 sq km in Tamil Nadu's hills nesting in tall trees. Habitat loss threatens their prey.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary in Kerala
Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu
Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round Forests ensure visibility for spotting eagles
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Spot crested serpent-eagles soaring above forest canopies
