Madagascar serpent eagle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Madagascar serpent eagle |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eutriorchis
|
| Species: |
astur
|
The Madagascar serpent eagle (Eutriorchis astur) is a special type of bird of prey. It belongs to the family Accipitridae, which includes eagles, hawks, and kites. This unique bird is the only species in its group, called a monotypic genus.
This eagle lives only on the island of Madagascar. Its natural habitat is in warm, wet lowland forests. Sadly, its home is shrinking, which threatens its survival.
Contents
What Does the Madagascar Serpent Eagle Look Like?
The Madagascar serpent eagle is a medium-sized raptor. It has a long, rounded tail and short, rounded wings. Its back is dark grey, while its belly, chest, and throat are a lighter grey. Dark stripes cover its body.
This bird has bright yellow eyes. It also has a strong, hooked beak and powerful talons. These features help it catch its food. The eagle is about 57 to 66 centimeters (22 to 26 inches) long. Its wings can spread out to 90 to 110 centimeters (35 to 43 inches) wide.
Where Does This Eagle Live?
This amazing bird lives in thick, humid, and broadleaf evergreen forests. You can find it in the northeastern and east-central parts of Madagascar. It usually stays below 550 meters (1,800 feet) in elevation. It prefers the dense parts of the forest.
How Does the Madagascar Serpent Eagle Live?
The Madagascar serpent eagle is active during the day. It hunts for its food from high places in the trees. When it spots prey, it swoops down quickly. It then uses its strong talons to grab its meal.
Its diet includes both large and small lemurs. It also eats snakes, lizards, and frogs. This eagle is an important part of the forest's ecosystem.
Protecting the Madagascar Serpent Eagle
For a long time, people thought this eagle was gone forever. The last confirmed sighting was in 1930. But then, in 1977 and 1988, people saw the bird again! This gave hope that it was still alive.
In 1993, a group called the Peregrine Fund officially rediscovered the species. This was a very exciting moment for conservationists.
Today, the Madagascar serpent eagle is still in danger. Its special forest home is being destroyed. Also, it seems to have a low rate of reproduction. This means it does not have many young birds. Efforts are being made to protect its habitat and help this rare eagle survive.
