# Crested serpent eagle

> The crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela) is a snake-eating eagle of forest edges in Sumatra, Java, Bali and Borneo, and is protected in Indonesia.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/crested-serpent-eagle/ · Updated 25 September 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/elang-ular-bido/
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**Review status:** Compiled and checked against the listed sources; not yet reviewed by a specialist.

## Quick answer

The Crested serpent eagle (*Spilornis cheela*) is a bird in the family Accipitridae. Its IUCN Red List category is Least Concern.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| 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](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/), [Mangroves](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/mangroves/), [Savannas](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/savanna/) |
| 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 |
| Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected under ministerial regulation P.106/2018 |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2480433) · checked 25 September 2026 |

## 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)](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Spilornis_cheela/) · [JDIH Kemenko Infrastruktur — Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi (PDF)](https://jdih.kemenkoinfra.go.id/cfind/source/files/permen-lhk/permenlhk-nomor-p.106-tahun-2018.pdf)

## 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)](https://web.archive.org/web/20200728185713/http://eagleencyclopedia.org:80/species/crested_serpent_eagle.html) · [Animal Diversity Web — Spilornis cheela (crested serpent eagle)](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Spilornis_cheela/) · [BirdLife International (DataZone) — Crested Serpent-eagle Spilornis cheela species factsheet](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/crested-serpent-eagle-spilornis-cheela)

## 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)](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Spilornis_cheela/) · [The Eagle Directory — Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) (salinan arsip Wayback Machine)](https://web.archive.org/web/20200728185713/http://eagleencyclopedia.org:80/species/crested_serpent_eagle.html) · [Balai KSDA Bali — Evakuasi elang ular bido di Desa Pemuteran dan pelepasliaran burung hasil sitaan (2026)](https://ksda-bali.go.id/berita/tim-bksda-bali-bergerak-ke-dua-lokasi-yang-berbeda-untuk-evakuasi-elang-ular-bido-spilornis-cheela-di-desa-pemuteran-dan-pelepasliaran-burung-hasil-sitaan-resor-ksda-gilimanuk)

## 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)](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Spilornis_cheela/) · [The Eagle Directory — Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) (salinan arsip Wayback Machine)](https://web.archive.org/web/20200728185713/http://eagleencyclopedia.org:80/species/crested_serpent_eagle.html) · [Mongabay Indonesia — Meski Mulai Ada Penyerahan, Elang Masih Terancam Perburuan (2017)](https://mongabay.co.id/2017/01/26/meski-mulai-ada-penyerahan-elang-masih-terancam-perburuan/)

## 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)](https://ksda-bali.go.id/berita/tim-bksda-bali-bergerak-ke-dua-lokasi-yang-berbeda-untuk-evakuasi-elang-ular-bido-spilornis-cheela-di-desa-pemuteran-dan-pelepasliaran-burung-hasil-sitaan-resor-ksda-gilimanuk) · [Mongabay Indonesia — Raptor dan Ruang Hidupnya: Dari Riset Elang Jawa Sampai Tekanan Perdagangan Online (2026)](https://mongabay.co.id/2026/02/27/raptor-di-indonesia-dari-elang-jawa-hingga-tekanan-perdagangan-online/) · [Mongabay Indonesia — Meski Mulai Ada Penyerahan, Elang Masih Terancam Perburuan (2017)](https://mongabay.co.id/2017/01/26/meski-mulai-ada-penyerahan-elang-masih-terancam-perburuan/)

## 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)](https://ksda-bali.go.id/berita/tim-bksda-bali-bergerak-ke-dua-lokasi-yang-berbeda-untuk-evakuasi-elang-ular-bido-spilornis-cheela-di-desa-pemuteran-dan-pelepasliaran-burung-hasil-sitaan-resor-ksda-gilimanuk) · [Mongabay Indonesia — Bertahun-tahun dalam Rehabilitasi, Akhirnya Elang Bido dan Alap-alap Kembali ke Alam (2018)](https://www.mongabay.co.id/2018/01/31/bertahun-tahun-dalam-rehabilitasi-akhirnya-elang-bido-dan-alap-alap-kembali-ke-alam/) · [Mongabay Indonesia — Meski Mulai Ada Penyerahan, Elang Masih Terancam Perburuan (2017)](https://mongabay.co.id/2017/01/26/meski-mulai-ada-penyerahan-elang-masih-terancam-perburuan/)

## 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.

### Where can the Crested serpent eagle be found in Indonesia?

In Indonesia, this guide records the Crested serpent eagle in: Sumatra, Java, Bali and Kalimantan (Borneo).

Source-supported habitats: [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/), [Mangroves](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/mangroves/), [Savannas](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/savanna/).

### What does the Crested serpent eagle eat?

Diet of the Crested serpent eagle: snakes (including venomous ones), lizards, frogs, small mammals, birds.

### What is the conservation status of the Crested serpent eagle?

On the IUCN Red List, the Crested serpent eagle is listed as Least Concern: it does not currently qualify for a threatened category in the global assessment. Source: [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2480433), checked 25 September 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Crested serpent eagle is a protected species, consult the current national list of [protected species](https://panduanhewan.org/en/glossary/#satwa-dilindungi) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office).

## Sources & references

1. [BirdLife International (DataZone) — Crested Serpent-eagle Spilornis cheela species factsheet](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/crested-serpent-eagle-spilornis-cheela)
2. [Animal Diversity Web — Spilornis cheela (crested serpent eagle)](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Spilornis_cheela/)
3. [The Eagle Directory — Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) (salinan arsip Wayback Machine)](https://web.archive.org/web/20200728185713/http://eagleencyclopedia.org:80/species/crested_serpent_eagle.html)
4. [Balai KSDA Bali — Evakuasi elang ular bido di Desa Pemuteran dan pelepasliaran burung hasil sitaan (2026)](https://ksda-bali.go.id/berita/tim-bksda-bali-bergerak-ke-dua-lokasi-yang-berbeda-untuk-evakuasi-elang-ular-bido-spilornis-cheela-di-desa-pemuteran-dan-pelepasliaran-burung-hasil-sitaan-resor-ksda-gilimanuk)
5. [JDIH Kemenko Infrastruktur — Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi (PDF)](https://jdih.kemenkoinfra.go.id/cfind/source/files/permen-lhk/permenlhk-nomor-p.106-tahun-2018.pdf)
6. [Mongabay Indonesia — Meski Mulai Ada Penyerahan, Elang Masih Terancam Perburuan (2017)](https://mongabay.co.id/2017/01/26/meski-mulai-ada-penyerahan-elang-masih-terancam-perburuan/)
7. [Mongabay Indonesia — Raptor dan Ruang Hidupnya: Dari Riset Elang Jawa Sampai Tekanan Perdagangan Online (2026)](https://mongabay.co.id/2026/02/27/raptor-di-indonesia-dari-elang-jawa-hingga-tekanan-perdagangan-online/)
8. [Mongabay Indonesia — Bertahun-tahun dalam Rehabilitasi, Akhirnya Elang Bido dan Alap-alap Kembali ke Alam (2018)](https://www.mongabay.co.id/2018/01/31/bertahun-tahun-dalam-rehabilitasi-akhirnya-elang-bido-dan-alap-alap-kembali-ke-alam/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Crested serpent eagle. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/crested-serpent-eagle/