The Madagascar serpent eagle is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is placed in the monotypic genus Eutriorchis. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Region
Eastern Madagascar
Typical Environment
Found in humid evergreen lowland to mid-elevation forests along Madagascar’s eastern escarpment. It favors dense, undisturbed interior forest with a closed canopy and rich understory, often near streams and gullies. The species is highly sedentary and uses concealed perches to scan the forest floor. Fragmentation severely limits its movement between suitable patches.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1100 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Madagascar serpent eagle is a secretive forest raptor once thought extinct until its rediscovery in 1993. It is the sole member of the genus Eutriorchis and is specialized for hunting reptiles like snakes and chameleons in dense rainforest. Its persistence depends on intact lowland forest, making it highly vulnerable to deforestation.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides through forest; agile, low-level flights between perches
Social Behavior
Generally encountered alone or in pairs during the breeding season. Likely monogamous, building a stick nest high in large trees within primary forest. It spends long periods perched quietly before making swift strikes to the forest floor.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include clear, high-pitched whistles and piping notes, often given from concealed perches. Calls may be repeated in short series, carrying through the forest but used infrequently.
Plumage
Dark brown upperparts with finely barred brown-and-cream underparts and a paler, lightly streaked throat. The tail is long with broad dark bands; wings are relatively short and rounded for maneuvering in forest. Feathers appear soft and subdued, aiding camouflage in shaded understory.
Diet
Primarily preys on reptiles such as snakes and chameleons, supplemented by lizards, frogs, and occasionally small birds or mammals. Hunts by still-hunting from shaded perches and making rapid, direct pounces. Its robust, hooked bill and strong feet are adapted to grasping slippery or writhing prey.
Preferred Environment
Dense interior rainforest, especially near streams, ravines, and forest edges with clear sightlines to the understory. Often uses mid-story perches with filtered light where prey movements are easier to detect.
