The Crested serpent eagle is a mid- to large-sized bird of
prey with an average body length of 70cm and a wing length
of 47-50cm. Both males and females have the same plumage:
a distinctive, black- and white-striped, fan-shaped crest;
a dark brown nape and posterior; fine white spots on their
upper wing coverts and scapulars; and brownish-black tail
feathers with white stripes across the center. The color of
the feathers in the base-layer of their bellies is tealeaf
brown mixed with some yellowish-brown spots, and their lower
abdomens have round white specks on them. Crested serpent
eagles have black beaks and yellow legs.
Behavior:
Crested
serpent eagles make a call of "hu, hu, hu-liu, hu-liu"
while flying. Their diet consists primarily of snakes, lizards,
rats, and sometimes crabs. The brownish-black flight feathers
on their lower wings have wide, white stripes on them, making
them easy to spot. Crested serpent eagles are often seen spiraling
around in the air or perched on a branch or electric wire
with a good view, looking for prey to hunt.
Habitat:
Crested
serpent eagles are a sub-species of bird endemic to Taiwan
commonly found in broad-leaved forests at low and middle altitudes.
