Fauna
Bird

Short-toed Snake Eagle

Circaetus gallicus

Also known as Short-toed Eagle, European Snake Eagle

Short-toed snake eagles master the art of hovering in mid-air over sunny open terrain, searching intently for reptiles below. Upon spotting a snake, they plunge downward to snatch it with thick, scaled feet that protect against venomous bites. Pairs perform loud, soaring aerial displays in early spring before constructing an undersized stick nest high in a solitary tree.

RaptorMigratoryReptile Hunter
Short-toed Snake Eagle reference1 / 7
(c) Vijay Vanaparthy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Vijay Vanaparthy · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyGrass Snakes, Vipers, Ophisaurus Lizards
Predators
  • Eurasian Eagle-Owl
ThreatsHabitat loss, wind turbine collisions, powerline electrocution, and illegal shooting
HabitatsOpen plains, dry garrigue, shrublands, agricultural edges, and stony hillsides
Life span15–20 years
Classification
  1. FamilyAccipitridae
  2. SpeciesCircaetus gallicus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Recognizable by its owl-like broad head, bright yellow eyes, light underwing pattern, and hovering flight.
Support conservation
Maintain a distance of several hundred meters from active nest trees and use binoculars for viewing.
Responsible observation
  • Sky Watching: Look up over sunny dry ridges where these raptors frequently hover into the wind while scanning the ground.
  • Distinction Cues: Note the pale underparts, dark throat bib, and broad head when viewing birds in flight.
  • Nest Distance: Keep a wide berth around nesting trees in late spring, as pairs easily abandon nests if disturbed.
Related species
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