Western Banded Snake-Eagle in Uganda (“Circaetus cinerascens”)

What to Know About Western Banded Snake Eagle in Uganda?

The Western Banded Snake-Eagle in Uganda is one of the African Uganda Birds seen during Birding in Uganda. The western banded snake eagles are members of the genus Circaetus. They form a monophyletic group Circatinae that is sister to the Old-World vulture group, Aegypiinae.

These are mainly birds which specialize in feeding on snakes and other reptiles, which is the reason most are named as “snake-eagles” or “serpent-eagles”.

They are restricted to warmer parts of the Old World. They have hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs and powerful talons.

They also have extremely keen eyesight to enable them to spot potential prey from a distance.

How Does the Western Banded Snake Eagle in Uganda Look Like?

Western-banded Snake Eagle is grey-brown, with short tail and large head. Male adult has grey brown upperparts and underparts, including underwing coverts.

Belly feathers show white tips. Flanks are barred with whitish. Upper flight feathers are dark grey to blackish, and contrast with paler back.

Under flight feathers are white with narrow black bars. The trailing edge is black and relatively broad. Black tail is short, with broad white band across center, and we can see a fine white terminal band.

Head is large and dark grey. Hooked bill is black, with deep yellow cere. Eyes are pale yellow. Long bare legs and stubby toes are deep yellow. Sexes are similar in size and plumage.

Juvenile has paler and browner upperparts than adults, with white-edged feathers. Head, neck and breast are dark-streaked.

Underparts are white with pale brown streaks, mainly on belly and thighs. Flight feathers are dark brown on upper wing, and white with brown bars on underwing.

Trailing edge is broad and brown. Tail shows broad black subterminal band. Eyes, cere and legs are pale yellow.

Subadult may be all dark grey-brown without any streak on underparts. Eyes, cere and legs are yellow.

How Does the Western Banded Snake Eagle in Uganda Sing and Make Calls?

Western-banded Snake Eagle utters a high-pitched “kok-kok-kok-kok-kok”, and loud, descending cawing notes. It is mainly vocal during the breeding season.

How Does the Western Banded Snake Eagle in Uganda Feed?

It mainly eats snakes (especially arboreal ones), doing most of its hunting from a perch, where it stays immobile for hours while searching for prey.

Once it spots something it glides to the ground or canopy and plucks the animal up before returning its perch to feed.

Diet consists of snakes, reptiles, rodents and birds. Also, Anthropods and termites may be taken.

How Does the Western Banded Snake Eagle in Uganda Nest?

Western-banded Snake Eagle nests among creepers and foliage. It builds a small stick-nest, well concealed within vegetation.

How Does the Western Banded Snake Eagle in Uganda Breed?

Probably a monogamous solitary nester, performing spectacular aerial displays in which it dives straight down with its wings folded before stabilizing again.