06/06/2025
🦅 Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)
The Short-toed Snake Eagle is a medium-to-large bird of prey known for its remarkable ability to hunt snakes and reptiles. It is commonly found in open woodlands, scrublands, and hilly areas across parts of Europe, Asia, and North Africa, including India.
🔍 Key Features:
Size: Around 62–70 cm in length with a wingspan of 170–185 cm.
Color: Pale underside with dark wrist patches and a brownish-grey upper side.
Eyes: Bright yellow, giving it a piercing gaze.
Flight: Soars high with flat wings, often seen hovering while scanning the ground.
🐍 Diet:
Specializes in hunting snakes, including venomous ones, and also preys on lizards and small mammals. It swallows prey whole, usually head first.
🏞 Habitat:
Prefers open countryside near forests, grasslands, or rocky terrains. In India, it is often seen during winter migration and also in hilly zones during breeding.
🌿 Conservation:
Not globally threatened, but habitat loss and declining snake populations can affect their numbers. They are protected under wildlife laws in many countries.
The Short-toed Snake Eagle is not just a skilled hunter but also a vital part of the ecosystem,
