Hawks and Eagles (Accipitridae)

Short-toed Snake-eagle (Circaetus gallicus) - HBW 2, p. 131

French: Circaète Jean le Blanc German: Schlangenadler Spanish: Culebrera Europea
Other common names: Short-toed Eagle

Taxonomy: Falco gallicus Gmelin, 1788, France.
Forms superspecies with C. beaudouini and C. pectoralis, both of which are frequently considered races of present species, due to occurrence of mixed pairs in zones of overlap. Population of Lesser Sundas may be racially distinct; averages somewhat smaller and may have different timing of moult, but remains little known at present. Name C. ferox formerly applied, but is unidentifiable. Monotypic.

Distribution: NW Africa and SW Europe N to Gulf of Finland and E to L Balkash and Iran; Indian Subcontinent; Lesser Sundas (from Lombok to Timor). W populations winter in Sahel zone.