The Short-toed Snake Eagle is a specialized hunter of open scrublands. This bird is ‘stenophagous’, with a diet consisting of 70–90% snakes, including venomous species like cobras. It possesses unique adaptations for this dangerous prey, such as heavy leg scales that act as armour against bites.
Unlike many large eagles, it can hover stationary in the air to pinpoint targets before performing a vertical dive. Once a catch is made, the eagle typically severs the snake’s head and swallows it whole while in flight.
Despite its large wingspan, it hunts with incredible silence to surprise alert prey. The eagle is easily recognized by its intense, bright yellow eyes used for scanning the ground.
