India GO
Bird · Spilornis cheela
Crested serpent eagle
डोगरा (dogra)
IUCN LC · Least concern
A brown forest eagle with a black-and-white crest it raises when alarmed, calling loudly as it circles above the canopy.
How to recognise it
In flight, broad wings with a bold white band across black flight feathers and across the tail. The call is a ringing, repeated «kee-kee-keeeer».
Where to see it
Haridwar
One of the few large raptors that has held its numbers in the Himalayan foothills, because it hunts reptiles rather than feeding on carcasses.
Rajaji National Park, Chilla (often) · Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve (often)
Rishikesh
One of the few large raptors that has held its numbers in the Himalayan foothills, because it hunts reptiles rather than feeding on carcasses.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple (often) · Patna Waterfall (often)