''Spilornis'' is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...
of
bird of prey
Birds of prey or predatory birds, also known as raptors, are hypercarnivorous bird species that actively hunt and feed on other vertebrates (mainly mammals, reptiles and other smaller birds). In addition to speed and strength, these predat ...
in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
Accipitridae
The Accipitridae is one of the three families within the order Accipitriformes, and is a family of small to large birds with strongly hooked bills and variable morphology based on diet. They feed on a range of prey items from insects to medium-s ...
. As adults all have dark crowns, and bright yellow eyes and cere.
[Ferguson-Lees & Christie (2001). ''Raptors of the World.'' Christopher Helm, London. ] These medium-sized raptors are found in forests of southern Asia and are known as serpent-eagles; an English name shared with two African species from the genera ''
Dryotriorchis
The Congo serpent eagle (''Dryotriorchis spectabilis'') is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is the only member of the monotypic genus ''Dryotriorchis'', although it was formerly placed in ''Circaetus''. This species is ...
'' and ''
Eutriorchis''.
[
]
Etymology
gr, σπιλος ''spilos'' “spot”; ορνις ''ornis'', ορνιθος ''ornithos'' “bird”.
Species
As traditionally defined, there are 6 species in this genus. It has been proposed that several small island populations, usually included in the Crested Serpent Eagle, be split into separate species.[
]
References
Bird genera
*
Taxa named by George Robert Gray
Taxonomy articles created by Polbot
{{Accipitriformes-stub