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;Polyboroides typus | ;Polyboroides typus | ||
| − | [[Image:African_Harrier_Hawk.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo taken near Lake Zwai, | + | [[Image:African_Harrier_Hawk.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Steve G.<br/>Photo taken: near Lake Zwai, [[Ethiopia]].]] |
==Other Names== | ==Other Names== | ||
Gymnogene; German: Schlangensperber, Höhlenweihe; Afrikaans: Kaalwangvalk | Gymnogene; German: Schlangensperber, Höhlenweihe; Afrikaans: Kaalwangvalk | ||
== Subspecies == | == Subspecies == | ||
| − | Two to three subspecies are recognised: ''nominate'' in eastern and southern Africa and the smaller, darker and more heavily barred ''pectoralis'' in | + | Two to three subspecies are recognised: ''nominate'' in eastern and southern [[Africa]] and the smaller, darker and more heavily barred ''pectoralis'' in west and central [[Africa]]. Smaller and darker birds from western DRC are sometimes separated as ''prigoginei''. |
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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
As with other birds of prey, the bill is short with a sharp, hooked tip to the upper mandible. The bill is black, and the cere and facial skin are yellow (red when displaying). The feet and legs are yellow. The upperparts, head and neck are grey. There are large black spots on the wing coverts. The face is bright yellow, and the belly is finely barred with black and white. The tail is longish and is white, with a single white bar across the middle and a narrow white tip. The head is quite small compared to other raptors, and in flight the wings are broad and rounded. | As with other birds of prey, the bill is short with a sharp, hooked tip to the upper mandible. The bill is black, and the cere and facial skin are yellow (red when displaying). The feet and legs are yellow. The upperparts, head and neck are grey. There are large black spots on the wing coverts. The face is bright yellow, and the belly is finely barred with black and white. The tail is longish and is white, with a single white bar across the middle and a narrow white tip. The head is quite small compared to other raptors, and in flight the wings are broad and rounded. | ||
== Distribution == | == Distribution == | ||
Sub-Saharan [[Africa]]: widespread from [[Senegal]] to central [[Ethiopia]] and south to the Cape ([[South Africa]]). Absent only from the most arid areas of the Horn of Africa and the south-west. Resident, possibly nomadic in some areas and fairly common in much of its range. | Sub-Saharan [[Africa]]: widespread from [[Senegal]] to central [[Ethiopia]] and south to the Cape ([[South Africa]]). Absent only from the most arid areas of the Horn of Africa and the south-west. Resident, possibly nomadic in some areas and fairly common in much of its range. | ||
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== Habitat == | == Habitat == | ||
It is found in closed and open savanna woodlands, forests, near wooded kloofs or stands of alien trees. It is usually solitary and spends much time perched in tall trees and is usually seen flying over or near forests or well-wooded areas. | It is found in closed and open savanna woodlands, forests, near wooded kloofs or stands of alien trees. It is usually solitary and spends much time perched in tall trees and is usually seen flying over or near forests or well-wooded areas. | ||
Revision as of 06:58, 22 November 2007
- Polyboroides typus
Other Names
Gymnogene; German: Schlangensperber, Höhlenweihe; Afrikaans: Kaalwangvalk
Subspecies
Two to three subspecies are recognised: nominate in eastern and southern Africa and the smaller, darker and more heavily barred pectoralis in west and central Africa. Smaller and darker birds from western DRC are sometimes separated as prigoginei.
Identification
As with other birds of prey, the bill is short with a sharp, hooked tip to the upper mandible. The bill is black, and the cere and facial skin are yellow (red when displaying). The feet and legs are yellow. The upperparts, head and neck are grey. There are large black spots on the wing coverts. The face is bright yellow, and the belly is finely barred with black and white. The tail is longish and is white, with a single white bar across the middle and a narrow white tip. The head is quite small compared to other raptors, and in flight the wings are broad and rounded.
Distribution
Sub-Saharan Africa: widespread from Senegal to central Ethiopia and south to the Cape (South Africa). Absent only from the most arid areas of the Horn of Africa and the south-west. Resident, possibly nomadic in some areas and fairly common in much of its range.
Habitat
It is found in closed and open savanna woodlands, forests, near wooded kloofs or stands of alien trees. It is usually solitary and spends much time perched in tall trees and is usually seen flying over or near forests or well-wooded areas.
Foraging & Food
The African Harrier Hawk is specially adapted to extracting food from holes and crevices in trees. The tarsal joint "knee" can bend backwards, sideways or forwards - allowing the bird to use its long legs/feet to get into tree cavities where it preys on bats, nestlings, reptiles and amphibians. It also eats insects and birds eggs.
Breeding
The African Harrier Hawk nests from June to November. The nest is a stick platform, about 75cm in diameter which is placed in the canopy of a tree or on a bush on a cliff face or in a small rock niche. The nest is lined with green sprigs.
Bird Call
The call is a plaintive whistled su-eeee-oo or a high pitched wheep-wheep near the nest.
