Home › Aves › Accipitridae › Short-toed Snake-Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Short-toed Snake-Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)
Circaetus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent Europe Africa
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Open woodlands dry hills scrub
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Accipitriformes
FAMILY
Accipitridae
GENUS
Circaetus
📋 Description
SIZE
62-69 cm long 1.2-2.3 kg
COLORATION
Brown with paler underparts barred tail yellow eyes
ADAPTATIONS
Short toes for grasping snakes soaring flight
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Open woodlands dry hills scrub
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent Europe Africa
REPRODUCTION
Lays 1 egg in tree nests incubated 40-45 days
DIET DETAILS
Snakes lizards small mammals
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss human conflict
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Snake Specialists: Short-toed Snake-Eagles soar with 1.8 kg bodies eating 300 grams of snakes daily in Rajasthan's hills. Their yellow eyes are piercing.
2
Sky Hunters: These eagles cover 4000 sq km in Gujarat's scrub nesting in tall trees. Deforestation threatens their prey base.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan
Jamnagar in Gujarat
Gir National Park in Gujarat
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round Open hills ensure visibility for spotting eagles
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Spot short-toed snake-eagles soaring high above open terrain
