https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Crested_serpent_eagleCrested serpent eagle - Revision history2026-07-30T21:31:35ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Crested_serpent_eagle&diff=37424&oldid=prevWikiDwarfBOT at 14:23, 30 April 20212021-04-30T14:23:54Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>[[File:Spilornis cheela (Bandipur, 2008).jpg |thumb|right|150px|{{Center|Adult crested serpent eagle}}]]<br />
The '''crested serpent eagle''' (''Spilornis cheela'') is a medium-sized [[bird of prey]]. It is found in [[forest]]ed [[habitat]]s across [[tropical]] [[Asia]]. It is found in a wide [[range (biology)|range]] across the [[Indian Subcontinent]], [[Southeast Asia]] and [[East Asia]]. There are a number of [[variation]]s and some [[Expert|authorities]] prefer to treat several of its [[subspecies]] as completely separate [[species]].<ref name="RaptorsWorld">{{cite book| last1 = Ferguson-Lees| first1 = James| last2 = Christie| first2 = David A.| title = Raptors of the World| year = 2001| publisher = A&amp;C Black| isbn = 0-7136-8026-1 }}</ref> In the past, several species including the [[Philippine serpent eagle]] (''S. holospila''), [[Andaman serpent eagle]] (''S. elgini'') and [[South Nicobar serpent eagle]] (''S. klossi'') were treated as subspecies of the Crested serpent eagle.<br />
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== Physical description ==<br />
All members within the [[species complex]] have a large looking [[head]] with long [[feather]]s on the back of the head giving them a [[crest (feathers)|crest]]ed appearance. The [[face]] is bare and [[yellow]] joining up with the [[beak]]. Its powerful [[feet]] are unfeathered and heavily [[scale (zoology)|scale]]d. They [[Flight|fly]] over the [[Forest#Rainforests|forest canopy]] on broad [[wing]]s and their [[tail]]s have wide [[white]] and black bars. They call often with a loud, piercing and familiar three or two-note [[Bird sound|call]].<br />
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== Behavior ==<br />
This [[raptor]] sits [[Movement|motionless]] from a high [[wikt:perch|perch]] watching for [[prey]].<ref name="OSB">{{cite web |url=http://www.oiseaux-birds.com/card-crested-serpent-eagle.html |title=Crested Serpent Eagle, Spilornis cheela |author= |date= |website= |publisher=Oiseaux-birds.com |accessdate=1 January 2016}}</ref> When prey is found it drops almost straight down to [[wikt:pounce|pounce]].<ref name=OSB/> They often feed on [[snake]]s, giving them their name and are placed along with the ''[[Circaetus]]'' snake-eagles in the subfamily ''[[Circaetinae]]''. In addition to snakes it catches [[reptile]]s as well as small [[mammal]]s and [[bird]]s. It will take a dead snake whenever it finds one.<ref name=OSB/> They are often seen [[Bird flight|soaring]] over their [[territory]] in [[wikt:pair|pair]]s.<ref name="UofMich">{{cite web |url=http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Spilornis_cheela/#behavior |title=Spilornis cheela |author= |date= |website= |publisher=University of Michigan |accessdate=1 January 2016}}</ref> In [[Japan]] they are usually found very close to [[Forest|forest edge]]s and wet [[marshlands]].<ref name=UofMich/><br />
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== Role in the ecosystem ==<br />
Crested serpent eagles are [[apex predator]]s and at the top of their [[food chain]].<ref name=UofMich/> They are a good indicator of the health of the [[ecosystem]] they occupy. They control snake [[population]]s and also those of other small mammals and reptiles. They are a common sight in places such as India. The species is not globally threatened. On most lists they are of least concern.<br />
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== References ==<br />
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q431212}}<br />
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[[Category:Accipitriformes]]<br />
[[Category:Birds of China]]<br />
[[Category:Birds of India]]<br />
[[Category:Birds of Indonesia]]<br />
[[Category:Birds of Pakistan]]<br />
[[Category:Least concern species]]<br />
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