Explore the Heart of South Africa: Nature, Culture, Adventure
Brown Snake-eagle
Afrikaans name: Bruinslangarend
Brown Snake-eagle
Photo © Steven Herbert
Circaetus cinereus
The Brown Snake-eagle is probably the most common of the Snake-eagles in its range which covers the northern and north-eastern regions of South Africa.
It spends a lot of time perched on a high branch from where it surveys the ground below. When perched its large yellow eyes are one of its distinguishing features. In flight it shows a lot of white colouration.
The Brown Snake-eagle mainly feeds off snakes and, interestingly, most of the species that it has been recorded as catching are venomous ones. These include puff adders, cobras and mambas. It also catches other reptiles such as lizards and some mammals and birds.
They make a nest from sticks and leaves high up in a flat-crowned tree. Only one egg is laid. The femal does most of the work in incubating the egg and raising the chick. The male does at times bring food for the female while she is on the nest.
The Brown Snake-eagle has large yellow eyes
Photo © Steven Herbert
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 145 | Circaetus cinereus |
| 2nd | 145 | Circaetus cinereus |
| 3rd | 145 | Circaetus cinereus |
| 4th | 145 | Circaetus cinereus |
| 5th | 142 | Circaetus cinereus |
| 6th | 142 | Circaetus cinereus |
| 7th | 361 | Circaetus cinereus |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 145 | Brown Harrier-eagle |
| 2nd | 145 | Brown Snake-eagle |
| 3rd | 145 | Brown Snake-eagle |
| 4th | 145 | Brown Snake-eagle |
| 5th | 142 | Brown Snake Eagle |
| 6th | 142 | Brown Snake Eagle |
| 7th | 361 | Brown Snake Eagle |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 145 | Bruin-uilarend |
| 2nd | 145 | Bruin Slangarend |
| 3rd | 145 | Bruin Slangarend |
| 4th | 145 | Bruin Slangarend |
| 5th | 142 | Bruinslangarend |
| 6th | 142 | Bruinslangarend |
| 7th | 361 | Bruinslangarend |
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 54Wild Issue 47 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 80
The Status & Conservation of Birds of Prey in the Transvaal - Author: W. Tarboton and D. Allan - Published: 1984 - Page: 56
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 57
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 123
Sasol Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands - Author: Alan and Meg Kemp - Published: 1998 - Page: 56
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 90
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 102
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 36
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 127
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 105
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 99
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 77
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 148
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 160
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 160
Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 74
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 54
Eagle Days - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1973 - Page: 119
Eagles, Hawks & Falcons of the World - Author: Leslie Brown and Dean Amadon - Published: 1989 - Page: 350
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 17
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 51
Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1985 - Page: 115
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 42
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 66
Birds of Prey of the World - Author: Friedhelm Weick - Published: 1980 - Page: 80
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 78
Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 80
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 66
An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Published: 1974 - Page: 97
African Birds of Prey - Author: Leslie Brown - Published: 1970 - Page: 68
An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Published: 1974 - Page: 30
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 130
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 130
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 73
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