Birds and Snakes: Mimicry, Predation, and Survival


This Lunar New Year, as we welcome the Year of the Wood Snake, it is the perfect opportunity to explore the fascinating connections between birds and snakes. Despite often being pitted against one another, these two groups of animals share remarkable interactions, adaptations, and evolutionary strategies. From birds that mimic snakes to those that skilfully evade them, nature has woven an intricate tale of survival and ingenuity. Here are five incredible ways birds and snakes are intertwined in our world.

The Eurasian Wryneck: A Master of Deception

The Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla), a species of woodpecker, has an extraordinary survival strategy—mimicry. When threatened, this bird twists its head in a serpentine motion like a snake. This uncanny imitation often deters predators, buying the bird precious moments to escape. This form of mimicry, known as Batesian mimicry, is a prime example of how birds and snakes share evolutionary tactics despite being from different taxonomic groups.

Snake-Eagles: The Ultimate Predator  

Some raptors, such as the Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus), have specialized in hunting snakes as their primary food source. Found in parts of Africa, Asia and Europe, these powerful birds of prey possess strong talons and scales on their legs to protect them from snake bites. Their keen eyesight allows them to detect movement from high above, making them formidable hunters of even the most venomous serpents.

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Al Hima Magazine 5th Issue

This edition of Al Hima magazine weaves together inspiring stories of nature conservation and community resilience, highlighting how Lebanon is being stitched back to life—one Hima at a time. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) continues its mission to preserve the country’s natural heritage by empowering local communities. A cornerstone of this effort is the BioConnect project, funded by the European Union, which has achieved three national firsts: Lebanon’s first natural park (Upper Matn), first geological park (Shouf-Jezzine), and first endowment Hima (Btekhnay).

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