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.
