The western banded snake eagle is a grey-brown African raptor with a short tail and a large head. Juveniles have paler and browner upper parts than adults, with white-edged feathers. The eagle's head, neck and breast are dark-streaked. The underparts are white with pale brown streaks, mainly on belly and thighs. Subadults may be all dark grey-brown without any streak on underparts. The eyes, ears, and legs are yellow. They have crested chests.
Region
West and Central Africa
Typical Environment
Favors lowland evergreen and riverine forests, swamp forests, mangroves, and wooded edges near water. It often occurs along forest margins, gallery woodland, and clearings where visibility for perch-hunting is good. The species avoids extensive open savanna and dense unbroken canopy, preferring semi-closed habitats with tall trees. It may persist in fragmented forest mosaics if mature trees remain. Proximity to wetlands and rivers is typical due to higher prey availability.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A specialist predator of snakes and other reptiles, this eagle often hunts from a concealed perch before dropping onto prey. Its legs are heavily scaled to help withstand bites from struggling snakes. It typically lays a single egg in a stick nest high in a tree and is secretive in forested habitats.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with steady glides; occasional soaring
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs during breeding. Builds a stick nest high in a tree and usually lays a single egg, with both adults involved in care. Courtship includes display flights above the canopy, but most activity is discreet within forest edges.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Usually quiet, but gives a clear, mournful whistled call, often a descending pee-oo note. Vocalizations are most often heard near nesting sites or during display flights.
