+263 772 354 780 | +263 772 301 871 
info@chipangali.com
Black-chested Snake Eagles
Black-chested Snake Eagles are remarkable for their specialised hunting technique, which involves soaring at a high vantage point to spot and then swiftly dive to capture snakes on the ground. They use their strong talons to kill prey, and their immunity to certain snake venoms allows them to feed on species that would be deadly to other predators. This eagle’s adaptation to a specific prey type highlights the incredible diversity of hunting strategies among birds of prey. Despite their fierce hunting skills, these eagles maintain a regal presence in the skies above their African habitats, embodying the intricate balance of predator-prey dynamics in their ecosystems. Conservation measures that protect their natural habitats and food sources are essential to ensuring that Black-chested Snake Eagles continue to thrive in the wild.
Scientific Name: Circaetus pectoralisi
- Habitat: The Black-Chested Snake Eagle inhabits open savannas, semi-deserts, and lightly wooded plains across sub-Saharan Africa. They are often found in regions where snakes, their primary prey, are abundant.
- Diet: Specialises in hunting snakes, including venomous species, but also feeds on lizards, small mammals, and occasionally birds.
- Physical Characteristics: This eagle is notable for its striking appearance, with adult plumage featuring a distinctive black chest and belly against a white throat and underwing coverts. The back and wings are grey to brown. They have a wingspan of about 1.7 to 1.9 meters (5.6 to 6.2 feet) and a length of approximately 63 to 75 cm (25 to 30 inches).
- Lifespan: Detailed lifespan data in the wild are limited, but birds of prey similar in size can live for 10-15 years or more.
- Reproduction: Black-breasted Snake Eagles are solitary nesters, laying 1 egg in a large stick nest built in a tree or on a cliff ledge. The egg is incubated for about 50 days, and the fledging period lasts around 70 to 80 days.
- Conservation Status: Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. While not currently at significant risk globally, local populations may be affected by habitat degradation and the use of pesticides that reduce prey availability.
Black-chested Snake Eagles at Chipangali
Flint
Species: Black-Chested Snake Eagle
Age on Arrival: Unknown
Arrival Date: Unknown
Sex: Male
Flint’s Story: Flint’s journey from a fledgling, prematurely torn from the nest and the care of his parents, to a resident of Chipangali, highlights the vulnerabilities faced by young wildlife. His tale, marked by an injury that left him unable to fly properly, is a poignant reminder of the sanctuary’s role as a protector of the fragile. In the safety of Chipangali, Flint finds not only a haven but also a platform to educate and inspire others about the challenges and beauty of his species.
Get Involved!
