Quick answer
IUCN status: Least ConcernCrested serpent eagle at a glance
The crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela) is a bird in the family Accipitridae. Range in Indonesia: Sumatra, Java, Bali and Kalimantan (Borneo). Diet: snakes (including venomous ones), lizards, frogs, small mammals, birds; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern. It is a legally protected species in Indonesia (Regulation P.106/2018).
| Scientific name | Spilornis cheela |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Elang ular bido |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Range in Indonesia | Sumatra, Java, Bali and Kalimantan (Borneo) |
| Linked habitats | Tropical Rainforests, Mangroves, Savannas |
| Diet | Snakes (including venomous ones), lizards, frogs, small mammals, birds |
| Range in Indonesia | Sumatra, Java, Bali and Kalimantan |
| Key feature | Black crest; broad pale band on wings and tail in flight |
| Other names | Elang ular bido, crested serpent-eagle |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected · Regulation P.106/2018 · annex no. 201 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — mainly snakes, also lizards, frogs, small mammals and birds · Animal Diversity Web |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt |
In this guide (12)
What is the crested serpent eagle?
The crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela) is a medium-sized eagle best known for eating snakes. Animal Diversity Web gives a length of 55–76 cm and a wingspan of 109–169 cm. Adults are dark brown with a blackish hood, white-spotted underparts, and bare yellow skin around the eyes and bill.
In flight it shows a broad pale band across the wings and tail and holds its wings in a shallow V. It raises its black crest when alarmed. Sulawesi has a relative, the Sulawesi serpent eagle (Spilornis rufipectus), a separate species that is also on Indonesia's protected list.
Evidence: Animal Diversity Web — Spilornis cheela (crested serpent eagle) ↗ · JDIH Kementerian Kehutanan — Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi (PDF, dengan lampiran) ↗
Where does the crested serpent eagle live?
In Indonesia the crested serpent eagle lives on Sumatra, Java, Bali and Kalimantan, with different subspecies in each area; for example, S. c. bido occurs on Java and Bali. Beyond Indonesia it ranges from India and southern China to the Philippines.
It favours forest edges, where it can soar and hunt. Animal Diversity Web lists dry to wet forest, plantations, wooded savanna and mangroves, up to 1,900 m. BirdLife notes that it readily uses plantations and open areas, but ADW says it still needs some forest to hunt and nest in.
Evidence: The Eagle Directory — Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) (salinan arsip Wayback Machine) ↗ · Animal Diversity Web — Spilornis cheela (crested serpent eagle) ↗ · BirdLife International (DataZone) — Crested Serpent-eagle Spilornis cheela species factsheet ↗
What does the crested serpent eagle eat?
The crested serpent eagle feeds mainly on snakes, including venomous species, according to Animal Diversity Web. It also takes lizards, frogs, small mammals and birds. The Bali nature conservation agency (BKSDA Bali) describes it as a top predator of snakes, reptiles, frogs and small mammals.
It usually hunts from a perch, waiting for long periods on a branch near a clearing or stream before dropping onto prey on the ground. It can also hunt while soaring. Because it eats many snakes and rodents, it is thought to help keep their numbers in check.
Evidence: Animal Diversity Web — Spilornis cheela (crested serpent eagle) ↗ · The Eagle Directory — Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) (salinan arsip Wayback Machine) ↗ · Balai KSDA Bali — Evakuasi elang ular bido di Desa Pemuteran dan pelepasliaran burung hasil sitaan (2026) ↗
How does the crested serpent eagle breed?
Crested serpent eagles live in pairs all year, and pairs are often seen soaring and calling over their territory. The call is shrill and often has three notes. Both birds build a nest of twigs lined with fresh leaves, usually in a tall tree near water such as a stream.
Usually only one egg is recorded per nest. Animal Diversity Web says the female incubates for about 35 days and the chick flies about two months after hatching. The head of the Kamojang Eagle Conservation Centre, quoted by Mongabay Indonesia, warns that trade hits eagles hard because they lay only one or two eggs.
Evidence: Animal Diversity Web — Spilornis cheela (crested serpent eagle) ↗ · The Eagle Directory — Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) (salinan arsip Wayback Machine) ↗ · Mongabay Indonesia — Meski Mulai Ada Penyerahan, Elang Masih Terancam Perburuan (2017) ↗
Can you keep a crested serpent eagle as a pet?
No, the crested serpent eagle is a protected species in Indonesia under ministerial regulation P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018, as the Bali BKSDA confirms. The secretary-general of Raptor Indonesia told Mongabay Indonesia that protected eagles may not be kept, held or owned privately.
Even so, eagles are still traded. The Kamojang Eagle Conservation Centre estimated that 30–40 eagles are displayed for sale in West Java's bird markets each year, and sales have shifted to social media.
Evidence: Balai KSDA Bali — Evakuasi elang ular bido di Desa Pemuteran dan pelepasliaran burung hasil sitaan (2026) ↗ · Mongabay Indonesia — Raptor dan Ruang Hidupnya: Dari Riset Elang Jawa Sampai Tekanan Perdagangan Online (2026) ↗ · Mongabay Indonesia — Meski Mulai Ada Penyerahan, Elang Masih Terancam Perburuan (2017) ↗
What should you do if you find a crested serpent eagle?
If you find a crested serpent eagle that is injured, has fallen, or has entered a settlement, report it to the local nature conservation agency (BKSDA). In May 2026 one fell after hitting a window while hunting in Pemuteran village, Buleleng, Bali. A resident reported it, a vet checked it, and it was released into forest in North Bali.
Do not buy eagles from markets or social media; eagle conservationists say birds on sale are generally taken from the wild. Seized and surrendered eagles are usually rehabilitated before release. One female in Yogyakarta, for example, was cared for from 2014 and released only in 2018.
Evidence: Balai KSDA Bali — Evakuasi elang ular bido di Desa Pemuteran dan pelepasliaran burung hasil sitaan (2026) ↗ · Mongabay Indonesia — Bertahun-tahun dalam Rehabilitasi, Akhirnya Elang Bido dan Alap-alap Kembali ke Alam (2018) ↗ · Mongabay Indonesia — Meski Mulai Ada Penyerahan, Elang Masih Terancam Perburuan (2017) ↗
Explore related habitats
These habitat relationships are supported by species sources in this guide. This is not a complete range map.
Scientific classification of the Crested serpent eagle
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Spilornis |
| Species | Spilornis cheela |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the crested serpent eagle
What is the scientific name of the crested serpent eagle?
The scientific name of the crested serpent eagle is Spilornis cheela, in the family Accipitridae. In Indonesian it is called Elang ular bido.
What kind of animal is the crested serpent eagle?
The crested serpent eagle is a bird in the family Accipitridae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a mainly snakes, also lizards, frogs, small mammals and birds.
Where does the crested serpent eagle live in Indonesia?
In Indonesia, this guide records the crested serpent eagle in: Sumatra, Java, Bali and Kalimantan (Borneo).
Source-supported habitats: Tropical Rainforests, Mangroves, Savannas.
What does the crested serpent eagle eat?
Diet of the crested serpent eagle: snakes (including venomous ones), lizards, frogs, small mammals, birds. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: Animal Diversity Web.
How does the crested serpent eagle reproduce?
The crested serpent eagle reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: Vigie-Nature École (MNHN).
Is the crested serpent eagle nocturnal?
The cited source records the crested serpent eagle as diurnal (active by day). Source: EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt.
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What are the main features of the crested serpent eagle?
Key features of the crested serpent eagle, from this guide’s sources: Key feature: black crest; broad pale band on wings and tail in flight.
What is the scientific classification of the crested serpent eagle?
Scientific classification of the crested serpent eagle: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Accipitriformes, family Accipitridae, genus Spilornis, species Spilornis cheela.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the crested serpent eagle endangered?
No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the crested serpent eagle is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.
This global category is separate from national legal protection. Is the crested serpent eagle protected in Indonesia?
Is the crested serpent eagle protected in Indonesia?
Yes. The crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela) is a protected species in Indonesia under Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation No. P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 on protected plant and animal species (annex, entry 201).
Article 21(2) of Law No. 5 of 1990, as amended by Law No. 32 of 2024, prohibits anyone from hunting, catching, injuring, killing, storing, owning, keeping, transporting or trading a protected animal, alive or dead, including its body parts, eggs and nests.
If you see this animal being traded, kept or injured, contact the local BKSDA office.
Can the crested serpent eagle be kept as a pet?
No. Because the crested serpent eagle is a protected species, catching, owning, keeping, transporting or trading it without a permit is prohibited by law. Trading without a permit through electronic media is also prohibited.
If you see this animal for sale or being kept, report it to the local BKSDA office.
Sources & references
- BirdLife International (DataZone) — Crested Serpent-eagle Spilornis cheela species factsheet ↗
- Animal Diversity Web — Spilornis cheela (crested serpent eagle) ↗
- The Eagle Directory — Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) (salinan arsip Wayback Machine) ↗
- Balai KSDA Bali — Evakuasi elang ular bido di Desa Pemuteran dan pelepasliaran burung hasil sitaan (2026) ↗
- JDIH Kementerian Kehutanan — Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi (PDF, dengan lampiran) ↗
- Mongabay Indonesia — Meski Mulai Ada Penyerahan, Elang Masih Terancam Perburuan (2017) ↗
- Mongabay Indonesia — Raptor dan Ruang Hidupnya: Dari Riset Elang Jawa Sampai Tekanan Perdagangan Online (2026) ↗
- Mongabay Indonesia — Bertahun-tahun dalam Rehabilitasi, Akhirnya Elang Bido dan Alap-alap Kembali ke Alam (2018) ↗
- Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) ↗
- EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗
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PanduanHewan. Crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/crested-serpent-eagle/