Phylum Chordata Scientific name Circaetus cinereus Rank Species | ||
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Similar Bird, Black‑chested snake eagle, Circaetus, Western banded snake ea, Wahlberg's eagle | ||
Cobra vs brown snake eagle latest wildlife sightings
The brown snake eagle (Circaetus cinereus) is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is found in West, East and southern Africa.
Contents
- Cobra vs brown snake eagle latest wildlife sightings
- Brown snake eagle
- Description
- Diet
- Behavior
- References
Brown snake eagle
Description
Their plumage is entirely brown, but some of them could have some white feathers. The juvenile eagles stay around the nest for 60–100 days, until they fledge. The juvenile brown snake eagle is completely independent a few weeks after fledging. The brown snake eagle is of average size, compared with larger species, such as the bald eagle, reaching only 60-70 centimeters in height. They also live less, only 7–10 years.
Diet
The brown snake eagle feeds mainly on snakes, being able to kill venomous snakes such as cobras. They have natural protection against bites, with thick-skinned legs. Besides snakes, the brown snake eagle feeds on lizards and small mammals.
Behavior
The brown snake eagle prefers the nests made by other birds. They usually take deserted and partially destroyed nests, which they prefer to repair. If they need to build a new one, they choose a tree or a high rock, far from the habitat of predators and from human settlements. Like other species of snake eagles, they lay only one egg per year, which is mainly incubated by the female.