- Dryotriorchis spectabilis
Identification
54 – 60 cm
- Dark brown upperparts
- White underparts with spots and bars
- Black crown
- Rufous collar
- Light brown face
- Dark stripe across cheeks
- Dark streak down throat centre
- Long tail
- Short, hooked bill
Distribution
West and Central Africa: occurs from Sierra Leone and Liberia to Ghana and again from southern Nigeria east to western Uganda ranging south to Gabon (perhaps northern Angola) and central Zaire.
Taxonomy
Two subspecies are currently recognised:
- D. s. spectabilis:
- Sierra Leone to Nigeria and north-western Cameroon
- D. s. batesi:
Habitat
Dense primary rainforest. Rarely seen due to secretive behaviour and poor light of its preferred habitat.
Behaviour
Diet
The diet includes chameleons, amphibians, and snakes.
References
- Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- ARKive
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Congo Serpent Eagle. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Congo_Serpent_Eagle
