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Snake eagles
Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi)
Scientific classification
Domain:
Eukaryota
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Accipitriformes
Family:
Accipitridae
Subfamily:
Circaetinae
Genera
See text.
Circaetinae is a bird of prey subfamily which consists of a group of medium to large broad-winged species.[1][2] The group is sometimes treated as tribe Circaetini.[3][4] These birds mainly specialise in feeding on snakes and other reptiles, which is the reason most are referred to as "snake-eagles" or "serpent-eagles". The exceptions are the bateleur, a more generalised hunter, and the Philippine eagle, which preys on mammals and birds.
All but one of the subfamily are restricted to warmer parts of the Old World: Spilornis and Pithecophaga in south Asia, the others in Africa. The short-toed eagle Circaetus gallicus migrates between temperate Eurasia and Africa, as well as being resident in India.
They have hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs and powerful talons. They also have extremely keen eyesight to enable them to spot potential prey from a distance.
^Lerner, Heather R.L.; Mindell, David P. (2005). "Phylogeny of eagles, Old World vultures, and other Accipitridae based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 37 (2): 327–346. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2005.04.010. PMID 15925523.
^Mindell, David P.; Fuchs, Jérôme; Johnson, Jeff A. (2018). "Phylogeny, Taxonomy, and Geographic Diversity of Diurnal Raptors: Falconiformes, Accipitriformes, and Cathartiformes". Birds of Prey. pp. 3–32. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-73745-4_1. ISBN 978-3-319-73744-7.
^Edward C., Dickinson; Remsen Jr., James V., eds. (2013). The Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. Vol. 1: Non-passerines (4th ed.). Aves Press.
^"ACCIPITRIDAE - Kites, Hawks and Eagles". Trust for Avian Systematics. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
Circaetinae is a bird of prey subfamily which consists of a group of medium to large broad-winged species. The group is sometimes treated as tribe Circaetini...
and are placed along with the Circaetus snake-eagles in the subfamily Circaetinae. This medium-large, dark brown eagle is stocky, with rounded wings and...
the Gypaetinae, and are instead a sister group to the serpent-eagles (Circaetinae). Presently found throughout much of Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe...
relatives are Snake eagles (Circaetinae), such as the bateleur. The species has subsequently been placed in the subfamily Circaetinae. The Philippine eagle's...
the snake eagles and, like them, it is classified within the subfamily Circaetinae. It is the only member of the genus Terathopius and may be the origin...
largest member of the Circaetus genus. Of the living species in the Circaetinae subfamily, it is similar in size to the bateleur but much smaller than...
and derived aegypiines clade with the serpent eagles of the subfamily Circaetinae, a group that includes the Philippine eagle. The Bayesian analysis shows...
analysis to belong elsewhere in the raptor family, as it is related to the Circaetinae. The specific name harpyja and the word "harpy" in the common name both...
Aviceda Genus Hamirostra Genus Lophoictinia Genus Henicopernis Subfamily Circaetinae – serpent eagles Genus Spilornis Genus Pithecophaga Genus Terathopius...
v t e Subfamily: Circaetinae Genus Species Terathopius Bateleur Circaetus Beaudouin's snake eagle Short-toed snake eagle Black-chested snake eagle Brown...
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