Description:

Large snake-eagle with mid-length tail, comparatively small body, protruding head and long broad wings. Pattern variable, often with dark head and breast, barred underbody, dark trailing edge to underwing, and broad subterminal tail-band; can be very pale on underbody and underwing.

Distribution:

Rare passage migrant through the central and western parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. From open woodland and even fairly dense forest to semi-desert upto 3000m. Often occurs in areas with mixed habitats; fairly open areas rich in reptiles.

Behavior:

Normally hunts in open areas, but sometimes in dense vegetation; forages at medium height or high up, with gliding or soaring flight; to survey terrain more closely, hovers on wind or with wings beating, parachuting down on prey. Specializes feeding on reptiles, particularly snakes. Also takes other reptiles, particularly lizards, geckos and skinks; occasionally mammals.

Photo Gallery:

Range & Occurrence:

Resident Species

Summer Breeder

Winter Visitor

Passage Migrant

Distribution Map of Short-toed Snake-Eagle in Gilgit-Baltistan (Status: )

Seasonal Occurrence of Short-toed Snake-Eagle

Resources:

Birds of Pakistan: Helm Field Guides (R. Grimmett & T. Inskipp)
The Birds of Pakistan (T. J. Roberts)
Birds of the Indian Subcontinent (C. Inskipp, R. Grimmett & T. Inskipp)
Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide (P. Rasmussen & J. Anderton)
Birds of India: Collins Field Guide (N. Arlott)
Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan (S. Ali & S. D. Ripley)
Handbook of the Birds of the World (https://www.hbw.com)
The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 6th Edition
iNaturalist BoGB (inaturalist.org/projects/birds-of-gilgit-baltistan)
Birds of Gilgit-Baltistan (http://fb.me/birdsgb)

*Gallery images on this page are shared from flickr.com, and are copyrighted to their respective creators or owners.