Young Crested serpent eagle

Although the Crested serpent eagle is widely distributed across South-East Asia, in Japan it breeds only on Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island, and is designated as an endangered species.

　Adult birds have feathers on the back of their heads that stand on end when excited, giving them the appearance of a crown—hence the name. Whilst adults are generally brownish-grey in colour, newly hatched chicks are white right down to their bellies and gradually turn brownish-grey as they grow. Juveniles less than a year old are entirely white, and it is said that they begin to be spotted in autumn. As they are not particularly wary, they are often involved in road accidents, so drivers need to be especially careful in autumn.