| Beaudouin's Snake Eagle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| Range | Sahel region of West Africa. |
| Scientific Classification | |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Circaetus |
| Species | Circaetus beaudouini |
| Conservation Status | |
 Vulnerable | |
The Beaudouin's Snake Eagle (Circaetus beaudouini), is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. It is found in the Sahel region of West Africa. It forms a superspecies with the Palearctic Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) and the Black-chested Snake Eagle (Circaetus pectoralis).
Description[]
Wingspan 170 cm. Grey-brown upperparts, including the head and chest, contrast with white underparts barred with brown and white vent. It has a black bill and large, bright yellow eyes with long pale grey, unfeathered legs.
Behavior[]
Normally seen perched rather than in flight but generally behavior is poorly known. The diet mainly consists of snakes and other small vertebrates.
Distribution[]
In a narrow band from Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and Gambia through southern Mali and Burkina Faso, northern Nigeria and Cameroon, southern Chad, Central African Republic and South Sudan. It has been recorded in Uganda but its status is uncertain in Kenya. There may be some nomadic movements, it appears to move southwards during the dry season and northwards during the rains.
Habitat[]
Open woodlands and cultivation.
Status[]
Nowhere common and little studied. It appears to be decreasing and is cetegorised as Vulnerable by the IUCN.