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;Spilornis cheela | ;Spilornis cheela | ||
| − | [[Image:Crested_Serpent_Eagle.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:Crested_Serpent_Eagle.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Yeshey Dorji <BR>]] |
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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | Crested Serpent Eagle | + | The Crested Serpent Eagle is a medium large raptor at about 55-75cm in length. Adults have dark brown upperparts and head, and have a hooded appearance at rest. The underparts and underwing coverts are pale brown. In soaring flight, the broad wings are held in a shallow V. The tail and underside of the flight feathers are black with broad white bars. When perched, they appear large headed and owl-like due to the shape of the face and positioning of the eyes. |
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| − | + | ==Distribution== | |
| − | + | Southern Asia. Widespread and generally common from northern India south to Sri Lanka east to southern China, Hainan, Taiwan and the southern Ryukyu Islands and south to the Andaman Islands and Malay Peninsula. Also breeds on Palawan, Borneo, Sumatra, Java and many smaller islands. | |
| − | + | ==Taxonomy== | |
| + | About 20 subspecies are currently recognised, some of which may be deserving of full species status. Nominate race is found in northern India, melanotis in southern India, spilogaster in Sri Lanka and davisoni in the Andaman Islands. S. c. burmanicus occurs from Burma to central and southern Indochina, ricketti in south-east China and northern Indochina, rutherfordi on Hainan, hoya on Taiwan and perplexus in the southern Ryukyu Islands. Further south race malayensis is found in southern Burma, Malaysia and northern Sumatra, batu on Batu Island and southern Sumatra, sipora on the Mentawi Islands and Sipora, bido on Java and Bali, baweanus on Bawean Island, pallidus on Borneo, natunensis on Bunguran and Billiton Islands, asturinus on Nias, abbottii on Simalur and palawanensis on Palawan, Balabac and the Calamian Islands. | ||
| + | ==Habitat== | ||
| + | Forest and forest edge, riverine woodland, farmland and sometimes near villages. Occurs up to 3,000m in the Himalayas. | ||
| + | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | The Crested Serpent Eagle, as its English and scientific names suggest, is a specialist reptile eater which hunts over woodland for snakes and lizards. | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
*[http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php?si=Spilornis+cheela&x=14&y=14&perpage=12&sort=1&cat=all&ppuser=&friendemail=email%40yourfriend.com&password= View more images of Crested Serpent Eagle in the gallery] | *[http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php?si=Spilornis+cheela&x=14&y=14&perpage=12&sort=1&cat=all&ppuser=&friendemail=email%40yourfriend.com&password= View more images of Crested Serpent Eagle in the gallery] | ||
[[Category:Birds]] | [[Category:Birds]] | ||
Revision as of 00:08, 12 July 2007
- Spilornis cheela
Identification
The Crested Serpent Eagle is a medium large raptor at about 55-75cm in length. Adults have dark brown upperparts and head, and have a hooded appearance at rest. The underparts and underwing coverts are pale brown. In soaring flight, the broad wings are held in a shallow V. The tail and underside of the flight feathers are black with broad white bars. When perched, they appear large headed and owl-like due to the shape of the face and positioning of the eyes.
Distribution
Southern Asia. Widespread and generally common from northern India south to Sri Lanka east to southern China, Hainan, Taiwan and the southern Ryukyu Islands and south to the Andaman Islands and Malay Peninsula. Also breeds on Palawan, Borneo, Sumatra, Java and many smaller islands.
==Taxonomy==
About 20 subspecies are currently recognised, some of which may be deserving of full species status. Nominate race is found in northern India, melanotis in southern India, spilogaster in Sri Lanka and davisoni in the Andaman Islands. S. c. burmanicus occurs from Burma to central and southern Indochina, ricketti in south-east China and northern Indochina, rutherfordi on Hainan, hoya on Taiwan and perplexus in the southern Ryukyu Islands. Further south race malayensis is found in southern Burma, Malaysia and northern Sumatra, batu on Batu Island and southern Sumatra, sipora on the Mentawi Islands and Sipora, bido on Java and Bali, baweanus on Bawean Island, pallidus on Borneo, natunensis on Bunguran and Billiton Islands, asturinus on Nias, abbottii on Simalur and palawanensis on Palawan, Balabac and the Calamian Islands.
Habitat
Forest and forest edge, riverine woodland, farmland and sometimes near villages. Occurs up to 3,000m in the Himalayas.
Behaviour
The Crested Serpent Eagle, as its English and scientific names suggest, is a specialist reptile eater which hunts over woodland for snakes and lizards.
