🐦 Today's Bird｜Crested Serpent Eagle

The Crested Serpent Eagle is a resident bird, a subspecies endemic to Taiwan, measuring approximately 65–74 cm in length, making it one of the larger raptors in Taiwan. Its most striking features are the black and white fan-shaped crest on its head, along with yellow eyes and yellow legs. There is a distinct white band in the middle of its tail, and broad white bands are also visible under its wings in flight. It primarily inhabbs mid- to low-altitude forests, often perching on tall trees or utility poles to wait for prey, which mainly consists of snakes, lizards, and rodents, though it sometimes preys on crabs. 🌿 Fun Fact The Crested Serpent Eagle is also known as the 'Snake Eagle' and loves to soar. On clear days with updrafts, you can see it circling in the sky for extended periods, emitting long calls. The population in Taiwan is mainly distributed in mid- to low-altitude areas, representing a significant forest raptor of Taiwan.