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A Crested Serpent Eagle perched in a tree, showing its bold black-and-white fan crest and yellow facial skin.Least Concern

Crested Serpent Eagle

Spilornis cheela

The Crested Serpent Eagle is a medium-sized bird of prey found across South and Southeast Asia. It takes its name from its habit of hunting snakes and other reptiles, which it snatches from the forest floor or low vegetation with its strong, bare-scaled feet. The bold black-and-white crest, fanned during displays, and the striking yellow facial skin make it one of the most recognisable raptors of the Asian rainforest.

Did you know?
The Crested Serpent Eagle has thick, scaled feet to protect against snake bites while hunting.

Crested Serpent Eagle Quick Facts

Lifespan
Up to 20 years
Habitat
Tropical and subtropical forest
Diet
Snakes, lizards, frogs
Region
South & Southeast Asia

Frequently Asked Questions About the Crested Serpent Eagle

The Crested Serpent Eagle is usually solitary.

The Crested Serpent Eagle is typically diurnal.

The Crested Serpent Eagle is resident.

The main threats facing the Crested Serpent Eagle include Deforestation and Habitat loss.

The Crested Serpent Eagle population trend is currently decreasing.

Well-known places to look for the Crested Serpent Eagle include Kinabatangan River (Borneo), Danum Valley (Malaysia), Western Ghats (India), and Kaziranga National Park (India).

Natural predators of the Crested Serpent Eagle include Larger eagles.

The Crested Serpent Eagle is part of the Accipitridae family and an Accipitrales order.

The Crested Serpent Eagle weighs about 0.55 kg, reaches about 56 cm in length, and has a wingspan of about 110 cm.