top of page
Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Circaetus gallicus
Short-toed snake eagle. Greek: φιδαετός. Kalathos, July 2023.
Passage migrant, sporadic breeding, uncommon. March to October. Length: 59-70 cm, wingspan: 162-195 cm. Sexes similar. Open, often hilly arid country with wooded patches. Slow flight, soars with level wings to great heights, hovers regularly or hangs on upwind. Preys on reptiles (mainly snakes), small mammals, rarely birds. Usually silent.
bottom of page