Congo Serpent Eagle
Congo Serpent Eagle (<em>Circaetus spectabilis</em>) is a species of Kites, Hawks, Eagles (<em>Accipitridae</em>) in the order Hawks, Eagles and Allies.
Overview
Congo Serpent Eagle (Circaetus spectabilis) is a species of Kites, Hawks, Eagles (Accipitridae) in the order Hawks, Eagles and Allies.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Circaetus; binomial: Circaetus spectabilis; authority: (Schlegel, 1863).
Distribution
Breeding range: Africa.
Conservation Status
This taxon is listed as Extant (living) in the IOC World Bird List.
Remarks
Restore Congo Serpent Eagle to Dryotriorchis from Circaetus based on phylogenetic analysis which indicates that merging Dryotriorchis into Circaetus would render the latter paraphyletic unless the highly distinctive Bateleur Terathopius is also included (Mindell et al. 2018; contra Lerner & Mindell 2005). Restore Congo Serpent Eagle to Circaetus from Dryotriorchis to resolve the paraphyly demonstrated in Lerner & Mindell (2005) and the more recent UCE phylogenetic analysis of Catanach et al. (2024).
