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ArtistMajestic Sri Lanka green snake eagle perched on high canopy branch, talons gripping twig, eyes scanning for prey. Composition: vertical close-up, distant canopy blurred. Lighting: early morning sun with soft rim-light on feathers. Palette: olive green, brown, soft blue sky. Texture & detail: feather patterns, talons, branch bark. Artist-mix: Audubon naturalism , cinematic wildlife drama. Camera: 200mm telephoto, 4k.
*** Sri Lanka Green Snake Eagle - Aquila africana ceylonensis ***
Family: Accipitridae
Overview
The Sri Lanka Green Snake Eagle (Aquila africana ceylonensis) is a rare, forest-dwelling bird of prey, believed to be an endemic subspecies of the African Hawk Eagle (Aquila africana). It is a powerful raptor specially adapted to hunt snakes, lizards, and small mammals in the dense forest canopy of Sri Lanka’s wet and intermediate zones. Its population is small and declining, primarily due to habitat loss and human encroachment.
Habitat & Distribution
Habitat: Prefers primary and secondary forests, forest edges, and wooded hillsides.
Range: Restricted to wet and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka -notably in Sinharaja, Kanneliya, Knuckles, and Peak Wilderness regions.
Altitude: Found from lowlands up to 1,800 meters above sea level.
Habitat type: Requires large, continuous forest areas for hunting and nesting.
Behavior & Ecology
Activity: Diurnal, active during the day, particularly in the morning.
Hunting style:
Hunts from a high perch or while gliding above forest canopy.
Diet consists mainly of snakes, monitor lizards, small birds, and rodents.
Flight: Strong and steady with powerful wingbeats; soars gracefully while scanning for prey.
Call: A sharp, whistling “klee-klee-klee” sound, often heard during breeding season.
Social behavior: Usually solitary or seen in pairs.
Physical Description
Body length: 60-70 cm.
Wingspan: 130-150 cm.
Appearance:
Dark brown upperparts with lighter, barred underparts.
Head often shows a slight greenish-olive sheen in sunlight the source of its name “Green Snake Eagle.”
Strong, hooked beak and sharp talons adapted for gripping reptiles.
Eyes are bright yellow; legs are feathered down to the toes.
Sexual dimorphism: Females slightly larger than males.
Breeding
Breeding season: Mainly February to June.
Nesting sites: Large stick nests built on tall trees within dense forest.
Clutch size: Usually 1-2 eggs.
Parental care: Both parents share incubation and feeding duties.
Chick development: The stronger chick often outcompetes the weaker one - a natural behavior in raptors called cainism.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List (Sri Lanka subspecies): Endangered / Critically rare.
Major threats:
Deforestation and fragmentation of forest habitats.
Human disturbance near nesting sites.
Loss of prey species due to hunting and pesticide use.
Occasional persecution due to fear of it preying on poultry.
Conservation needs:
Protection of forest corridors and nesting areas.
Public education to prevent killing and capture.
Long-term ecological studies to clarify taxonomy and population trends.
2025 November 13
