Black-chested Snake-Eagle

Circaetus pectoralis

A: Swartborsslangarend
G: Schwarzbrust-Schlangenadler
N: ǂnū-ǀgā ǀao!khas
Sp: Lejanoga la sehubaso
Ss: Lejanoha la sefubantsho
Tw: Lejanoga la sehubantsho
Z: indlanyokemnyama

BIRD FAMILY

Snake-Eagles

SIZE
63-68 cm (VL)

HABITAT
Usually occurs singly in bushveld or grassland, occasionally perched, more often flying high and hovering; the only eagle to hover regularly. Snakes may be taken into the air, killed and eaten in flight. Nest made of sticks on top of trees. Nomadic.

SPECIES DESCRIPTION
Fairly common resident. Adult differs from larger  Martial Eagle  in bare legs, unspotted underparts and, in flight, predominantly white (not dark) underwings with narrow black bars. immature starts as, then progresses to stage (the head gradually darkening, underparts becoming defined.