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Circaetus gallicus
Also known as the Short-toed Snake Eagle because the main part of its diet is snakes along with other small reptiles and some lizards. They are a medium sized bird of prey and are an old world species (belonging to Europe, Asia and Africa). I have yet to see one other than from below but they are distinguished by their pale underside with black curved lines running the length of their wings and brown cap looking head.
This one was spotted flying over an area of sloping hill running down the side of a valley.
Spotted on Apr 24, 2013
Submitted on May 23, 2013
1 Comment
We have these here also, they like to fly over hillsides in the rising air from the wind or the suns heat on the hill face as it saves them energy and it is easy to watch for prey. Snake and lizards like to rest on warm rocks.