Congo serpent eagle

Congo serpent eagle
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Subfamily: Circaetinae
Genus: Dryotriorchis
Shelley, 1874
Species:
D. spectabilis
Binomial name
Dryotriorchis spectabilis
(Schlegel, 1863)
Subspecies[2]
  • D. s. spectabilis - (Schlegel, 1863)
  • D. s. batesi - (Sharpe, 1904)
The distribution of the Congo serpent eagle (orange)
Synonyms
  • Astur spectabilis Schlegel, 1863
  • Dryotriorchis batesi Sharpe, 1904
  • Circaetus spectabilis

The Congo serpent eagle (Dryotriorchis spectabilis) is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Dryotriorchis, although it was formerly placed in Circaetus. This species is distributed across the African tropical rainforest, including upper and lower Guinean forests. This serpent eagle specializes in hunting in these forests’ dark understories. It has two subspecies, the nominate subspecies Dryotriorchis spectabilis spectabilis and Dryotriorchis spectabilis batesi. Though monotypic, it appears to be very closely related to Circaetus. This hawk is a medium-sized bird with distinctive short, rounded wings and a long, rounded tail. It is varying shades of brown on its back and has a slight crest. Its breast is white with variable amounts of a rufous wash and, in the nominate subspecies, is covered in round, blackish spots. The subspecies D. s. batesi only has these dots on its flanks. The Congo serpent eagle closely resembles Cassin's hawk-eagle, and some ornithologists believe that this likeness is a rare example of avian mimicry. It is a very vocal raptor, and often is one of the most heard species in its habitat.

This serpent eagle feeds on snakes, chameleons, and toads, and hunts these species by dropping onto them from a perch in the understory. Its excellent eyesight enables it to hunt in the dark forest. Very little is known about its breeding habits, though it is suspected to breed from June to December. The Congo serpent eagle is listed as a species of Least Concern due to its large range and population. This species has been kept as a pet.

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Dryotriorchis spectabilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22695330A93502934. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695330A93502934.en. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  2. ^ Gill F, D Donsker & P Rasmussen (Eds). 2020. IOC World Bird List (v10.2). doi : 10.14344/IOC.ML.10.2.