Spilornis is a genus of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. 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 and Eutriorchis.[
]
Etymology
''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.[
]
