LC
Short-toed Snake-eagle Circaetus gallicus



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
Clark, W.S. 1999. Plumage differences and taxonomic status of three similar Circaetus snake-eagles. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 119: 56-59.
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - -

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2021 Least Concern
2016 Least Concern
2013 Least Concern
2012 Least Concern
2009 Least Concern
2008 Least Concern
2006 Least Concern
2004 Not Recognised
2000 Not Recognised
1994 Not Recognised
1988 Not Recognised
Species attributes

Migratory status full migrant Forest dependency low
Land-mass type Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 58,000,000 km2 medium
Extent of Occurrence (non-breeding) 48,800,000 km2 medium
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 50000-99999 mature individuals poor suspected 2021
Population trend stable - suspected -
Generation length 8.93 years - - -

Population justification: In Europe, the breeding population is estimated to number 9,900-16,000 breeding pairs, equating to 19,800-31,900 mature individuals (BirdLife International in prep.). Europe forms approximately 34% of the global range, so a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is 58,200-93,800 mature individuals, although further validation of this estimate is needed. It is placed in the band 50,000-99,999 mature individuals.

Trend justification: The population historically suffered marked declines in northern and central Europe, and it is suspected that these declines are ongoing (Keller et al. 2020). However, range expansions have occurred in southern and eastern parts of Europe (Keller et al. 2020), and the European population is now thought to be increasing (BirdLife International in prep.). An increase has also been reported in the number of mature individuals migrating along the eastern Black Sea coast (Vansteelant et al. 2019). Outside of Europe, declines have been reported in West Africa (Thiollay 2007) and in India (SOIB 2020). Overall, the global population is suspected to be stable.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Afghanistan extant native yes yes
Albania extant native yes yes
Algeria extant native yes yes
Andorra extant native yes
Armenia extant native yes yes
Austria extant vagrant
Azerbaijan extant native yes yes
Bahrain extant native yes
Bangladesh extant native yes
Belarus extant native yes yes
Belgium extant vagrant
Benin extant native yes
Bhutan extant vagrant
Bosnia and Herzegovina extant native yes yes
Bulgaria extant native yes yes
Burkina Faso extant native yes
Cambodia extant vagrant yes
Cameroon extant native yes
Central African Republic extant native yes
Chad extant native yes
China (mainland) extant native yes
Congo, The Democratic Republic of the extant native yes
Côte d'Ivoire extant native yes
Croatia extant native yes yes
Cyprus extant native yes
Czechia extant vagrant
Denmark extant vagrant
Djibouti extant native yes yes
Egypt extant native yes
Estonia extant vagrant
Ethiopia extant native yes
Finland extant vagrant
France extant native yes yes
Gambia extant native yes
Georgia extant native yes yes
Germany extant vagrant yes
Ghana extant native yes
Gibraltar (to UK) extant native yes yes
Greece extant native yes yes
Guinea extant native yes
Guinea-Bissau extant native yes
Hungary extant native yes yes
India extant native yes
Indonesia extant native yes
Iran, Islamic Republic of extant native yes yes
Iraq extant native yes yes
Israel extant native yes yes
Italy extant native yes yes yes
Jordan extant native yes yes
Kazakhstan extant native yes yes
Kenya extant vagrant yes
Kuwait extant native yes yes
Kyrgyzstan extant native yes yes
Laos extant vagrant
Latvia extant native yes
Lebanon extant native yes yes
Lesotho extant vagrant
Liberia extant native yes
Libya extant native
Lithuania extant native yes
Luxembourg extant vagrant
Malaysia extant vagrant
Mali extant native yes
Malta extant vagrant yes
Mauritania extant native yes yes
Moldova extant native yes yes
Mongolia extant native yes
Montenegro extant native yes yes
Morocco extant native yes yes
Myanmar extant native yes
Nepal extant native yes
Netherlands extant vagrant
Niger extant native yes
Nigeria extant native yes
North Macedonia extant native yes
Norway extant vagrant
Oman extant native yes yes yes
Pakistan extant native yes yes
Palestine extant native yes
Poland extant native yes yes
Portugal extant native yes yes
Qatar extant native yes
Romania extant native yes yes
Russia extant native yes yes
Russia (Central Asian) extant native yes
Russia (European) extant native yes yes
Saudi Arabia extant native yes yes yes
Senegal extant native yes
Serbia extant native yes yes
Sierra Leone extant vagrant yes
Singapore extant native yes
Slovakia extant native yes
Slovenia extant native yes
Somalia extant native yes
South Sudan extant native yes
Spain extant native yes yes
Sudan extant native yes
Sweden extant vagrant
Switzerland extant native yes
Syria extant native yes yes
Tajikistan extant native yes yes
Tanzania extant vagrant yes
Thailand extant vagrant yes
Timor-Leste extant native yes
Togo extant native yes
Tunisia extant native yes yes
Türkiye extant native yes yes
Turkmenistan extant native yes yes
Uganda extant vagrant yes
Ukraine extant native yes yes
United Arab Emirates extant native yes yes
United Kingdom extant vagrant
Uzbekistan extant native yes yes
Vietnam extant vagrant
Western Sahara extant native yes
Yemen extant native yes yes
Zambia extant vagrant yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Armenia Meghri
Belarus Al'manskija baloty
Belarus Balota Maročna
Belarus Biarezinski zapaviednik
Belarus Janka river floodplain
Belarus Kaz'jany
Belarus L'va floodplain
Belarus Polesie Reserve
Belarus Staraja Vic'
Bosnia and Herzegovina Livno karst field and Busko lake
Bulgaria Devetashko Plateau
Bulgaria Dobrostan
Bulgaria Kotlenska Mountain
Bulgaria Lomovete
Bulgaria Mesta Valley
Bulgaria Nikopolsko Plateau
Bulgaria Rupite
Bulgaria Sakar
Bulgaria Strandzha
Croatia Gorski Kotar and Northern Lika
Croatia Krka and Surrounding Plateau
Croatia Kvarner Islands
Croatia Middle Dalmatian Islands and Peljesac Penninsula
Croatia Mount Velebit
France Arjuzanx
France Arrière Côte de Dijon et de Beaune
France Basses Corbières
France Bassin d'Arcachon et Banc d'Arguin
France Champ de Tir du Poteau
France Côte Médocaine: dunes boisées et dépressions humides
France Etangs de Sologne: St Viatre, Marcilly-en-Gault et forêt de Bruadan
France Forêt de Saou
France Gorges de la Dordogne
France Gorges de la Dourbie et causses avoisinants
France Gorges de la Truyère
France Gorges du Tarn et de la Jonte
France Haut Val d'Allier
France Hautes Corbières
France Hautes garrigues du Montpellierais
France Hauts Plateaux du Vercors et Forêt des Coulmes
France Les Couzes Nord
France Les Couzes Sud
France Massif du Canigou-Carança
France Montagne Sainte-Victoire
France Parc National de la Vanoise
France Parc National des Cévennes
France Parc National des Ecrins
France Parc National du Mercantour
France Plaine du Forez
France Plateau de l'Arbois, garrigues de Lancon et chaîne des Côtes
France Plateaux de Millevaches et de Gentioux
France Vallée de la Loire : gorges de la Loire
Georgia Iori Region
Germany Wagbach lowlands
Greece Akarnanika mountains
Greece Antichasia mountains and Meteora
Greece Central Zagori and mount Mitsikeli
Greece East Lakonia mountains
Greece Filiouri valley and eastern Rodopi mountains
Greece Mount Falakro
Greece Mount Othrys
Greece National Park of Dadia - Lefkimi - Soufli forest
Greece South forest complex of Evros prefecture
Greece Southwestern Lesvos and Petrified forest
Greece Tymfi (Gkamila) and Smolikas mountains
Hungary Aggtelek Karst
Hungary Gerecse
Hungary Mátra
Hungary Zemplén Mountains
Italy Albegna river valley
Italy Alto Garda Bresciano
Italy Arezzo heathlands
Italy Ausoni and Aurunci mountains
Italy Biviere and Plain of Gela
Italy Carniche pre-Alps
Italy Crete Senesi
Italy Gargano Promontory and Capitanata Wetlands
Italy Gran Paradiso
Italy Gravine
Italy Lake Bracciano and Tolfa hills
Italy Ligurian Alps
Italy Marchesato and River Neto
Italy Maritime Alps
Italy Matese
Italy Mount Beigua
Italy Pollino and Orsomarso
Italy River Cecina middle valley
Italy Sibillini mountains
Montenegro Bjelopavlici
Montenegro Bratogost
Montenegro Kuči and Cijevna canyon
Montenegro Lovćen and Paštrovići Mountains
Montenegro Rumija
North Macedonia Demir Kapija Gorge
North Macedonia Lake Tikvesh
North Macedonia Mariovo
North Macedonia River Pchinja-river Petroshnica-river Kriva Reka
North Macedonia River Topolka-river Babuna-river Bregalnica
Palestine Ein Qinia
Portugal Arraiolos
Portugal Cabeção
Portugal Gerês mountains
Portugal Luzianes
Portugal Malcata mountains
Portugal Montesinho and Nogueira mountains
Portugal Mourão, Moura e Barrancos
Portugal Portas de Ródão e Vale Mourão
Portugal Sabôr and Maçãs
Portugal Serra de Monchique
Portugal Serra de Penha Garcia e Campina de Toulões
Portugal Serra do Caldeirão
Portugal South-west coast of Portugal
Portugal Upper River Tejo
Romania Aliman - Adamclisi
Romania Almăjului Mountains - Locvei
Romania Babadag wood
Romania Caraş gorge - Semenic Mountains
Romania Defileul Inferior al Mureşului
Romania Domogled - Cernei valley
Romania Hagieni forest
Romania Măcin - Niculiţel
Romania Nerei gorge - Beuşniţa
Romania Stepa Casimcea
Russia (European) Archedinskiye sands
Russia (European) Irendyk ridge
Russia (European) Nerussa - Desna woodland
Russia (European) Shaitan-Tau ridge
Russia (European) Utrish Reserve and adjacent coastal waters
Serbia Derdap gorge
Serbia Gornji Visok and Vidlic
Serbia Negotinska krajina
Serbia Pester
Serbia Zlatibor
Slovakia Slovenský karst
Slovakia Vihorlat
Slovenia Karst
Slovenia Snežnik plateau and Pivka valley
Slovenia Vipavski rob
Spain Alcubierre and Sigena mountain ranges
Spain Alt Pallars
Spain Babia-Somiedo
Spain Burete, Cambrón and Espuña mountain ranges
Spain Campo Charro y Tierras de Ledesma
Spain Campo de Argañán
Spain Central Badajoz mountain ranges
Spain Enguera mountain range-La Canal de Navarrés
Spain Fuentes Carrionas
Spain Guara mountain range
Spain Izki mountains
Spain Jerez de los Caballeros dehesas
Spain La Demanda mountains
Spain Lerida steppes
Spain Lower course of the river Matarraña-Ribarroja
Spain María mountain range-Los Vélez
Spain Monfragüe
Spain Moratalla mountain range
Spain Mountains of Barcelona
Spain Pass of Beceite-Turmell mountain
Spain Peña Labra and Cordel mountain ranges
Spain Prelittoral mountain ranges of Granada
Spain Rivers Cabriel and Júcar canyons
Spain San Mauricio-Bohí-Beret
Spain Sierra de Aracena
Spain Sierra Morena de Sevilla
Spain Sierra Pelada mountain range
Spain Tietar valley
Spain Torrecilla and Gigante mountain ranges
Spain Turia canyon and Los Serranos
Spain Urbión and Cebollera Mountain Ranges
Spain Valdegovía-Arcena mountain range
Ukraine Bondar marsh
Ukraine Forests in Dnipro and Desna valleys
Ukraine Polis'kyi Nature Reserve
Ukraine Syra Pogonya mire
Yemen Bab al-Mandab - Mawza

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial Pastureland suitable resident
Desert Hot suitable resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Dry suitable non-breeding
Forest Temperate suitable resident
Grassland Subtropical/Tropical Dry major resident
Grassland Temperate major resident
Rocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks) suitable breeding
Savanna Dry suitable resident
Shrubland Mediterranean-type Shrubby Vegetation suitable resident
Shrubland Subtropical/Tropical Dry suitable non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Peatlands suitable breeding
Altitude 0 - 2300 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Agro-industry farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Livestock farming & ranching - Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Intentional use (species is the target) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Species mortality
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Persecution/control Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Species mortality
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Energy production & mining Renewable energy Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Species mortality
Human intrusions & disturbance Recreational activities Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success
Natural system modifications Fire & fire suppression - Increase in fire frequency/intensity Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem conversion
Pollution Agricultural & forestry effluents - Herbicides and pesticides Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Species mortality
Transportation & service corridors Roads & railroads Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Species mortality
Transportation & service corridors Utility & service lines Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Species mortality

Utilisation
Purpose Scale
Pets/display animals, horticulture subsistence, national, international
Sport hunting/specimen collecting subsistence, national

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Short-toed Snake-eagle Circaetus gallicus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/short-toed-snake-eagle-circaetus-gallicus on 05/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 05/12/2024.