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The snake-eater (krachun) is also known under a different name - the snake-eagle, it is a representative of a predatory breed of bird from the hawk family. The detachment to which it belongs is called falconiform, and the subfamily of this bird population is called snake-eaters. In Latin, this bird has a different name, which, in the literal translation sounds like "chubby". This is due to the fact that the bird is distinguished by the round shape of the head of a large size, giving it a resemblance to owls. The British christened the bird by their name, they call it an eagle with short fingers, if translated literally. But according to its external data, the krachun is more like a moon than an eagle.
Personal characteristics of the bird
Snake-eaters are often represented as an eagle, although it has a slight resemblance to a known one. He is a characteristic representative of large predators, whose length reaches 70 centimeters, the wingspan reaches up to 190 centimeters, and the mass of an adult hunter is able to form up to 2 kilograms.
A characteristic feature of females is their size, they are usually larger than males, although the color of plumage does not differ at all from males. On its back, the serpent eater has a gray-brown shade of plumage, and its neck is brown. The belly of the bird has a white color, mottled with dark spots. The wings of the bird and its tail are provided with stripes of dark color. At a young age, krachuns have a brighter color and look darker than their adult relatives.
Predator Diet
In their diet, the snake-eaters prefer to choose a narrow specialization. Their menu is quite limited in nature, they eat mainly vipers and snakes, and also do not disdain coppers or snakes. In general, they are distinguished by a passion for any representatives of reptiles, for which they got their name. But, if a lizard gets into the hunter's field of vision, it will also not be left without attention.
With the onset of winter, snakes, having chosen a secluded place, fall into suspended animation, spending the winter period in an immobilized state. This fact allows the krachun to open the hunting season in mid-spring. During this period, solar activity reaches the limit when the soil warms up to a sufficient temperature so that snakes begin to move from their winter shelters.
A leisurely hunter begins his hunt with the onset of noon, and continues to hunt for the rest of the daylight hours. This period of time coincides with the maximum activity of reptiles.
Witnesses of the snake-eater's skill in the sky predicted him as the "king" of flights. In search of his victim, the drafter spends large periods of time in the air. This species of birds is characterized by its excellent vision, they are able to distinguish their prey from a great height.
Having discovered his target, the serpent king falls to the bottom with a stone, thus developing a speed of up to 100 kilometers per hour. Having reached its goal, the snake-eater claws its prey behind its head and inflicts a mortal blow with its beak. It is not uncommon for him to be unable to complete his attack instantly, in such cases the victim may provide fierce resistance. Krachun prefers to swallow his prey whole, in rare cases when a bird misses, it has to fly up to the sky to continue the attack.
Most often, snakes become victims of a predator, but if venomous snakes are found, the krachun does not refuse such a treat. For him, both an adder and a muzzle or gyurza are of equal value. The bird is able to perform lightning-fast actions, avoiding a response bite.In addition to his incomprehensible reaction, he is protected by shields from the cornea located on his legs. In a situation where the victim manages to inflict a poisonous bite on the hunter, the snake-eater can very rarely die from this. Although he suffers such injuries painfully and for a long time fails.
Predator habitats
The bird acquired its distribution in the eastern as well as southeastern parts of the European mainland. It can be found in the open spaces of the northern part of Africa, or in the southern zone of Asia. Snake-eating subspecies live in India, the southern regions of China, as well as in Indonesia.
The population of snake-eaters tends to decrease in its number, this fact is directly related to the decrease in the population of reptiles, which form the basis of the predator's diet. A small fraction of the responsibility for reducing the number of different reptiles lies with a person who actively occupies spaces suitable for the habitat of these animals.
In the northern regions, krachuny prefer to choose forests for life, in the southern zones they stop on forest-steppe territories, in rare cases they have to build their nests on the steep slopes of the mountains. The top place for the location of nests, birds choose the tops of tall trees, from this height it is convenient to start the flight.
Famous subspecies of the serpent
The common snake-eater reaches a size of 72 centimeters, the width of its wingspan reaches a mark of 190 centimeters. Females of these birds are usually larger than males, but have no differences in color. The area of their back is painted in a grayish-brown tone, and the neck and chest are light in color. The shape of the head has a rounded shape, the eyes are golden yellow. On the tail of this bird there are several stripes located across. Coloring of young individuals does not differ in individual characteristics.
These predators can be found in southern or central Europe, in the northwestern part of the African continent, as well as in some areas of the Caucasus or Mongolia. A large population of these birds is located in the vast Siberia, some individuals can be found even in Pakistan or India. The common snake-eater leads a nomadic lifestyle, coupled with seasonal migrations. He prefers to live in forests characterized by a mixed nature or forest-steppes.
Black-breasted Eater
The body length of this representative reaches 68 centimeters, the width of its wingspan is 178 centimeters, and the weight of the bird reaches 2.3 kilograms. The head of the bird, like its chest, is dark brown or black, and there are light areas on the belly of this snake-eater and the inside of its wings, the color of the eyes determines a golden yellow hue.
You can meet this predator in Africa, from the borders of Ethiopia, as well as Sudan to the northern reaches of Angola. Here he inhabits the semi-arid areas of desert surfaces on which solitary trees are found.
Baudouin Serpent Eater
In the wingspan, this representative of the snake-eater reaches 170 centimeters. On his back, head, and chest, there is a gray-brown plumage. The belly of the bird is painted in light color, outlined by small stripes of brown color. The legs of the bird have an elongated shape and color, consisting of a gray tone.
These winged predators have chosen the open spaces of the northern part of Africa as their permanent habitat. They live in savannahs or woodlands, preferring picturesque landscapes.
Brown Snake Eater
This predator is the largest representative of its species, its body length reaches 75 centimeters, the width of its wingspan is 164 centimeters, and the weight of the bird can be 2.5 kilograms. On top of the bird is painted in dark brown color, the inner part of its wings is gray, and the tail is brown, with light colored stripes located across. The paws of this bird are elongated, painted in a pale gray shade, the eyes are yellow, and its beak is black in color.Young individuals are distinguished by lighter tones of their plumage.
Brown serpent eater prefers more arid regions of Africa, where it inhabits wooded areas.
Striped southern crook
The length of this bird reaches 60 centimeters. On the back, as well as the predator's chest, there is a plumage painted in dark brown color, its head has a characteristic light brown hue. Small white stripes are located across the abdomen, and its tail is of elongated design, has several longitudinal white stripes.
Representatives of this species settled in the eastern part of the African continent, choosing for their settlements dense forests located in the tropical as well as subtropical zone, characterized by high humidity.
Video: serpent eater (Circaetus gallicus or Circaetus ferox)
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