Causses Cévennes

Circaète Jean-le-blanc, circaetus gallicus, short-toed eagle, slangenarend, adler, ormörn, biancone, aquila culebreara.

A rather small greyish eagle or very large buzzard-like bird of prey, distinguished from all same-sized birds of prey except Osprey by almost completely white underparts, dark only on throat, upper breast and wing-tips, with some dark bars on long angular   wings and  forked tail.
Head rather rounded, sometimes appearing almost owl-like. Sexes alike.

Calls mewing, buzzard-like ‘hu-opp’ or ‘piee-ou’. Soars and often hovers.

Open country with scattered woods and trees, in both hills and plains. In South Europe feeds predominantly on snakes, whence sometimes called Snake Eagle. Nest usually on top of low tree. 25-27 in.
Partly carrion feeders and frequent motor roads to feed on animals killed by traffic.top