The Congo Serpent Eagle is
a special bird of prey that is found in Western and Central Africa.
Range of the Congo Serpent Eagle (from the wikipedia files)
Its range stretches
anywhere from Sierra Leone south to Angola and west to the Democratic Republic
of the Congo. These birds can be
found in dense primary forests below 3,000 ft. elevation, where they are
skilled at hunting the dark understory.
Illustration above from the wikipedia files
A few distinct
characteristics help to identify this raptor. The Congo Serpent Eagle is known for its short rounded wings
and long rounded tail. It is a
medium sized bird, characterized by a white breast covered with dark circular
speckles. Its wingspan reaches a
total length of about 37-42 inches across. The feathers on its head are slightly pointed, giving this
raptor a slight crest. They have
yellow legs, a light brown tail with about 5 or 6 broad black stripes, and talons
that are short and sharp. On
average, females are about 3% larger than the males. Juvenile Congo Serpent Eagles have a more pale grayish-brown
appearance when it comes to their heads and tails. In addition, they tend to be more darkly barred than the
adults.
This particular bird of
prey is also known for its vocalization in that it has one of the most heard
vocalizations among species in its habitat. This raptor is known for its cat-like meowing sound. It also has a low, mournful, nasally
“cow-cow-cow” at intervals over extended periods of time.
Congo Serpent Eagles hunt from a perch in the understory (photo: the wikipedia files)
These raptors, being
Serpent Eagles, have a different diet than the Sea and Fish Eagles I have
previously discussed. They prey on
snakes, lizards (a favorite being chameleons), toads, and even some small
mammals. Their keen vision helps
them to hunt with extreme precision in the dark
understory. In order to capture
their prey they perch at an elevated level in the understory, swoop down, and
then ambush their prey. The Congo
Serpent Eagle will then strike their prey with their feet repetitively to make
sure it’s dead before devouring their kill.
These birds of prey breed
any time between June and December throughout their range, although little else
is known about their reproduction habits.
They rank as a species of least concern on the conservation status scale
due to their increasing population and vast range.
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