24/09/2026
*HAVE YOU SEEN THIS BIRD?*
The *Southern Banded Snake Eagle _(Circaetus fasciolatus)*_ is one of South Africa's rarest raptors and is *regionally Critically Endangered*.
There are only *40-50 pairs left in South Africa*, living in a narrow strip of coastal and dune forest from Sodwana Bay and iSimangaliso Wetland Park north to Somalia. It is shy and often heard before it is seen, with its distinctive high-pitched call: *ko-ko-ko-kaw*.
*How to identify it:*
*ADULT:* Grey-brown head and chest, white belly with dark barring, yellow eyes and legs, barred tail. In flight shows pale underwings with fine barring. _(Photos: Örjan Sjögren & Warwick Tarboton)_
*JUVENILE:* Much paler head, almost white with dark streaks, darker brown back. _(Photos: Brad Bergstrom & Hugh Chittenden)_
*What it eats:* Mainly snakes - Forest Cobra, Green Mamba, Vine Snake, Bush Snakes - swallowed whole or torn into pieces, plus lizards, frogs and termite alates.
It builds a small stick nest in the fork of a tall tree and lays *one egg between August - October*, incubated for about 50 days.
*YOU CAN HELP SAVE IT:*
Because it is so rare, every sighting counts. Please send a *GPS location (or WhatsApp pin), a description (adult / juvenile / pair / pair with juvenile) and where possible a photograph, EVERY TIME you see this species* to:
*📍 BirdLife South Africa - Dr David Ehlers Smith*
*Science and Spatial Planning Manager*
*WhatsApp / Cell: +27 76 285 6904*
*WILD FORESTS. STRONG RAPTORS. STRONGER TOGETHER.*
*Call for Help. Protect Wildlife. Make a Difference.*
