Crested Serpent Eagle: The Watchful Hunter of the Skies

The Crested Serpent Eagle is a powerful bird of prey recognised by its dark brown plumage, striking black-and-white crest and bright yellow facial skin. In flight, its broad, rounded wings and distinctive white bands across the wings and tail make it easier to identify against the sky.

Despite its impressive appearance, this eagle often hunts by remaining perched on a branch, watching the ground below for movement. Its diet includes snakes, lizards, frogs and small mammals. True to its name, snakes are among its preferred prey, and it can hunt both venomous and non-venomous species.

One of its most distinctive features is its piercing call, which can carry across wooded landscapes even when the bird is difficult to see. It is also frequently spotted soaring in wide circles above the treetops, scanning the terrain below. As a resident of the region, the Crested Serpent Eagle is a remarkable presence in the Western Ghats, playing an important role in maintaining the balance of its ecosystem.

Species: Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela)
Habitat: Wooded hills, forest edges, woodland clearings, and areas near streams
Movement: Resident
Best time to spot: Early mornings, when it may be seen perched or soaring overhead
Where to look:On tall tree branches overlooking clearings, or circling above the treetops with its broad wings held in a shallow V
Call: A loud, high-pitched, piercing whistle, often heard as the eagle soars above the trees.