Congo Serpent-Eagle Dryotriorchis spectabilis Scientific name definitions

50–60 cm (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ); wingspan 94–106 cm (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Short, rounded wings and long, rounded tail distinctive; somewhat Accipiter-like (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Most likely to be confused with Spizaetus africanus (which the present species is postulated to visually mimic) (2 Negro, J.J. (2008). Two aberrant serpent-eagles may be visual mimics of bird-eating raptors. Ibis. 150(2): 307-314. Close ) or Urotriorchis macrourus; former is larger, more bulky, has shorter tail and feathered tarsi, while latter is obviously smaller-bodied, but has much longer, graduated and white-tipped tail, among other differences (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Eye yellow in adult male , grey-brown (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ) in female (browner in juvenile (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ) ). Female averages just 3% larger than male (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Juvenile similar to adult but for pale head and neck; heavily spotted underparts similar to juveniles of African forest Accipiter and Aviceda species; separate morph or intermediate plumage with fine black streaks below. Race batesi browner on upperparts, no rufous around face and throat, with spots and bars confined to flanks, and fewer markings on underwing-coverts (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Lowland tropical rainforest ; inhabits understorey habitats (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Recorded from sea-level to 900 m (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

No movements recorded.

Mainly reptiles, especially snakes (with their prey), chameleons and lizards, and some toads; small mammals also recorded as stomach contents, but could have been ingested with snake prey (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Hunts from a perch , dropping down to take prey from foliage or the ground below, sometimes striking repeatedly at prey with the feet almost like a Secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius). Mainly within forest understorey, to which its large eyes appear well suited, but has been observed hunting alongside a track (4 Demey, R., and L. D. C. Fishpool (1994). The birds of Yapo Forest, Ivory Coast. Malimbus 16(2):100–122. Close ). Postulated to visually mimic Aquila africana, which is primarily a bird-eater, potentially to gain a foraging advantage by deceiving their snake prey, and/or to reduce mobbing by small birds, which tend to avoid bird-eating raptors (2 Negro, J.J. (2008). Two aberrant serpent-eagles may be visual mimics of bird-eating raptors. Ibis. 150(2): 307-314. Close ).

Few published data. Gives nasal "cow cow cow..."  and a cat-like miaowing call has also been reported (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). In Sierra Leone, fairly vocal in Jan–Feb, when species sang mostly in first two hours of morning, but also in late morning (5 Dowsett-Lemaire, F., and R. J. Dowsett (2008). Selected notes on birds of Gola Forest and surroundings, Sierra Leone, including three new species for the country. Bulletin of the African Bird Club 15:215–227. Close ).

Unrecorded. Indications of breeding Oct–Dec in Gabon, sometime during period Jun–Nov in Zaire. Regularly utters loud crowing calls.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). CITES II. Appears to be rather common in many larger tracts of forest, judging from calls, but inconspicuous except for persistent calling. Vulnerable to deforestation, due to intolerance of secondary habitats, which now dominate much of its range in W Africa. Not known to be affected by pesticides.