Circaetus pectoralis

The black-chested snake-eagle is a medium-sized eagle with typical snake-eagle features, including a big head, large yellow eyes and bare, pale grey legs. It occurs from Ethiopia and southern DRC to South Africa, where it can be found in mesic and semi-arid savanna to desert.

We first recorded this species in April 2012, flying over our heads, as we waited to be picked up at the Coastal Cashew Factory in Kosi Bay on the north coast of KwaZulu Natal.

Eventually, after much patience and persistance, I was able to get a decent photograph of this majestic eagle in December 2012 while driving from Magoeboskloof to Soutpansberg. A great spot to find them, approximately 1.5 hours from Johannesburg, is the town of Kgomo Kgomo and its surrounds.