Crested Sepent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) 56-74 cm

The next time you hear loud piercing calls from high up in the clear blue sky look skyward and scan for this large raptor (bird of prey) circling above. Usually seen in pairs they fly or glide through the air with great ease, thanks to the hot thermal air which start building up from mid-morning onwards. It's the hot thermal air which provides these and other large birds the 'lift' needed for them to soar and remain in flight for hours and miles on end. Oftentimes (during raptors migration)  they appear like tiny specks dotting the sky. The thermal also help to keep them adrift and glide effortlessly for many miles away from their nests in search for food. As it's name implies this specie's favorite meal are snakes. :-)