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Gliding


Gliding
Photo Information
Copyright: Elroyie David (elroyie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 394 W: 104 N: 1519] (6403)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-04-23
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF100-400 IS L, Kenko Pro 300 1.4x Teleconvert
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/1600 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-05-14 10:08
Viewed: 1380
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Short-toed Snake-eagle - Circaetus gallicus

Descriptive notes.

60-67 cm, 1.2-2.3 kg. wingspan 170-185 cm.
Plumage variable, contrast of dark head and upper breast with white underparts ranges from very conspicuous to non-existent. Large head, yellow iris, 3 bands on tail. Juvenile similar to adult.

Habitat.

Varied habitats mainly in warm temperate and tropical zones, from open woodland even fairly dense forest to semi-desert.
Requires fairly open areas rich in reptiles.

Food and Feeding

Specializes in reptiles. particularly snakes, which constitute 80% of prey or more.
Regional variation in species, mainly non-venomous species, especially Colubridae , up to 1,5 m in length.
Also takes other reptiles, particularly lizards including Varanus, chameleons, geckos, occasionally mammals.
Normally hunts in open areas, but sometimes in dense vegetation, forages at medium height, with gliding or soaring flight.
Swallows snakes and lizards whole, head first, but head may be crushed or torn off prior to consumption, and large snakes can be torn to pieces before being eaten.

Breeding.

Apr in Europe and S Africa, Jan-Feb in India.
Nests usually in trees, rarely very tall, often only a few metres in height, very rarely vests on cliff ledges, sometimes uses nest of other raptors.
Nest built on crown of tree or on lateral branch, small for size of species, opten no more than 50 cm wide, 30 cm deep, bilt of sticks and twigs, and lined with green leaves or grass.1 egg, incubation 47 days.
Chicks has white down
Cared for and fed by both adults, at first given small bits of food, bua later learns to pull prey out of adult's crop, and swallow it whole.

Movements.

Sedentary in India and Pakistan, migratory in Palearctic, winter in tropical Africa.
Exceptional in winter in S Europe, N Africa and Middle East, more common in Arabian Peninsula. Birds gather at crossing points, main route between Africa and Europe passes over Straits of Gibraltar, between Africa and Asia over Gulf of Suez.
marhowie, alois, sandpiper2, coasties, sAner, deud has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12250)
  • [2005-05-14 10:55]

SUPER !!!!!!

Félicitations, j'aime beaucoup l'envolée et les yeux orangés de l'oiseau.

  • Great 
  • alois Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 41 W: 0 N: 107] (1205)
  • [2005-05-14 11:33]

Thrilling look of the snake eagle. Excellent action photo Elroyie ! Congrats !

  • Great 
  • capaci Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 136 W: 55 N: 142] (1242)
  • [2005-05-14 14:50]

beautifull bird, very good photo.
well done.
TFS

  • Great 
  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234] (8915)
  • [2005-05-14 18:29]

Excelent shot and well done.
Just a wee too centered.
Excelent work

Mike

Great shot Elroyie. Good POV and sharpness, not much else to say, well done.

Magnificent shot Elroyie. The POV is spot on. Great wingspan on this bird. The eyes are awesome. Crisp. clear and sharp. Nice work!

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
  • [2005-05-15 4:47]

Hello Elroyie,

Wow! A grand flying bird of prey is on my wishlist for a long, long time. This is marvelous. Excellent composition (pose is so great), details are sharp (well exposed) and just look at those eyes!!! Wonderful! TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

Super in-flight Elroyie! Excellent POV, details, sharpness and this wing angle looks great..Also, this snake eagle seems to be looking straight at ya!..Very well done!!

  • Great 
  • deud Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 440 W: 10 N: 504] (2372)
  • [2005-05-19 6:12]

super. i know, it's not easy to catch them! I have no results! congratulations

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