Bird · GBIF taxon 2480433
Crested Serpent Eagle
Spilornis cheelaAlso known as Serpent Eagle, Crested Snake Eagle
Perched high in forest canopies across tropical Asia, crested serpent eagles keep a watchful eye for snakes and lizards moving through the understory. When soaring over valleys, their broad wings display prominent white bands beneath, accompanied by loud ringing calls that echo across the hills. Adults possess a bushy black-and-white crest behind bright yellow facial skin, giving them a fierce, lion-like profile.
RaptorForest BirdVocal
Licensed reference(c) Seema Merchant, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Snakes
- Lizards
- Frogs
Predators
- Large Eagles
- Large Owls
ThreatsDeforestation, habitat fragmentation, and localized persecution
HabitatsTropical and subtropical forests, woodland edges, and mangroves
Life span15–20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAccipitridae
- SpeciesSpilornis cheela
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Powerful talons and beak can cause injury if cornered or handled; observe safely from a distance.
Responsible observation
- Canopy Scanning: Look for motionless perches high on exposed branches along forest clearings.
- Audio Spotting: Listen for their loud, ringing two- or three-note calls while soaring thermal updrafts.
- Distance Respect: Use binoculars or a spotting scope to observe natural hunting without causing stress.
Competitor Close Relative 
Close Relative (c) Vijay Vanaparthy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Vijay Vanaparthy · cc-byClose Relative
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