The southern banded snake eagle or fasciated snake eagle (Circaetus fasciolatus) is a small species of bird of prey occurring along the east coast of sub-Saharan Africa. It reaches lengths of 55-60 cm (21.5-23.5 in). It is all over grey to grey-brown in appearance, with thick feathers protruding from the head and down the neck giving it a slightly unique appearance. Head is lighter grey to greyish-brown whereas the upperparts and wings are markedly darker. The most telltale feature is its heavily banded underparts of grey-brown bands on white, which is suddenly interrupted by the uniformly greyish-brown chest. Eyes are white to pale yellow, beak is yellow with a black tip, and legs are yellow as well. In flight the wings are heavily streaked, and the bands from the underparts extends onto the wing coverts. Tail is banded light grey and dark grey and ends with a white tip. |
