Kruger Park Birding . Their shorter wings give them greater manoeuvrability through tree canopy.
They often catch other birds in flight. African Harrier- Hawk* (Polyboroides Typus)Afrikaans: Kaalwangvalk The African Harrier- Hawk (Gymnogene) is a specialist nestling raider and appears universally hated by other birds. There are an estimated 1 0.
For the fact was, many houses were dark because the kidophobic, candyless, grumpy or just plain old stingy residents were pretending no one was home.
South Africa, with most concentrations in the Waterberg and Kruger and in the neighbouring Limpopo National Park. It is often seen hopping about in the tree canopy or on cliff faces, flapping its wings for balance as it grips on vertical surfaces looking for holes in trees and rock crevices. Its legs bend backwards so that it can maintain an upright balance while clinging to a tree trunk. It methodically inspects cavities, guided by the squeaking of baby birds and then sticking its beak or foot into the hole to grab its prey.
It frequently raids weaver colonies, hunts for plover and duck eggs in sandbanks, and may meticulously inspect old Hamerkop nests for food. It also paces along the ground examining holes in the earth for eggs, frogs and small mammals. When it flies low over the bush, it is often mobbed by other birds protecting their nests. This harrier- hawk is a highly territorial, monogamous bird often involved in aggressive encounters with other raptors. When excited, its yellow face flushes red.
Courtship displays can be astounding with pairs touching claws in mid- air and then falling backwards in dramatic swoops. Its call is a weak, high- pitched suuuu eee ooo whistle. Resident. Prey Nestlings and eggs from a wide range of birds including herons, plovers, weavers, drongos, swifts and swallows; also snakes and lizards, squirrels and frogs. Where best to find them It is seen throughout the Park where there is mixed savannah woodland near rocky wooded hills, ravines or kloofs, particularly in Lebombo.
Dark Chanting Goshawk (Melierax Metabates) Afrikaans: Donkersingvalk There are about 4. Dark Chanting Goshawks in north- eastern South Africa, and most of these are resident in Kruger. This bird is associated with the eastern bushveld, unlike its counterpart the Pale Chanting Goshawk, which prefers the arid Karoo and western South Africa. It is equally at home in the mopaneveld of the north and the mixed Marula and Knob- thorn savannah of the south.
It perches conspicuously on the branch or the ground and can move off with surprising speed. It has a diverse diet but concentrates mostly on lizards. The Dark Chanting Goshawk is known to follow honey badgers and Southern Ground- hornbills, which flush prey from their path through the bush. It is silent except in breeding season.
Some of Kruger's Dark Chanting Goshawks may migrate to Zimbabwe in winter. Resident. Prey Mostly lizards and small snakes; small mammals up to squirrel size; occasionally other birds up to the size of a francolin; also carrion. Where best to find them Throughout Kruger in dense broadleaf woodland, particularly Orpen, Voortrekker Road, Skukuza area. Gabar Goshawk (Melierax Gabar) Afrikaans: Kleinsingvalk The Gabar Goshawk's numbers in Kruger appear to be on the increase. Not much is known about this raptor's movements.
There seems to be a resident population in Kruger as well as migrants from elsewhere in Africa. A Kruger Park study has found that of 2. Park. It is a secretive bird that hunts from a discrete perch. It feeds mostly on other birds, particularly doves, pipits, weavers, waxbills, plovers and young francolins. It is a determined hunter known to pursue another bird for up to five kilometres in an attempt to catch it.
The Gabar Goshawk likes to raid weavers' nests, which it rips open to reach the eggs and nestlings. Roberts VII has an account of a Gabar Goshawk being killed by a group of Southern Pied Babblers after it had killed one of their party.
Peter Steyn recounts an interesting incident in which a Gabar caught a bat of the same size but was unable to kill it - undeterred, it flew with the bat to a nearby stream and held it underwater until it drowned! Migrant & Resident. Prey Mostly small birds up to the size of a small francolin; occasionally small mammals, reptiles and insects. Where best to find them Commonly seen in the denser woodlands throughout Kruger. Shikra* (Accipiter Badius) Afrikaans: Gebande Sperwer The Shikra* is thought to be a Kruger resident but numbers increase in winter suggesting a migration from elsewhere in Africa. It is comfortable in most habitats, but generally prefers the hot, low- lying areas that receive more than 6.
It is a bold hunter usually found singly in savannah woodland. It has a dipping flight between trees and often comes up almost vertically to its chosen perch. It scans the surroundings for its main prey of lizards and insects, which it then swoops on and eats on the ground. It also goes for other birds, which it sometimes catches in the air. Resident. Prey Bold, opportunistic hunter that feeds mainly on lizards (7.
Where best to find them Widespread throughout the Park, particularly in riverine forests along the major watercourses; often seen on the Sabie River near Phabeni. Black Sparrowhawk (Accipiter Melanoleucus) Afrikaans: Swartsperver. The Black Sparrowhawk is the largest accipiter of southern Africa. There are an estimated 8. South Africa, but it is not often seen in Kruger. It is a monogamous bird that does not stray far from its home range and is found mostly near riverine bush where it can perch under cover for long stretches. Almost all of its prey is other birds, mostly under 3.
For some reason, it dislikes the Egyptian Goose and Trumpeter Hornbill, and is also very aggressive towards other raptors, particularly the African Fish- Eagle and Wahlberg's Eagle. This is probably because they usurp its nests. It also acts angrily towards monkeys and dassies. It whistles noisily during breeding season or when threatened. Resident. Prey Most of the diet consists of smaller birds - doves, quails, bulbuls, mousebirds, shrikes and weavers; but it is an opportunistic feeder eating small mammals as well. Where best to find them Hard to see as it favours very dense woodland areas - riverine forest in the north of Kruger, also recorded near Skukuza.
Little Sparrowhawk (Accipiter Mminullus) Afrikaans: Kleinsperwer This uncommon resident is a secretive and aggressive little bird found on the edges of dense woodland and along river valleys. There are about 1 0. Little Sparrowhawk in north- eastern South Africa, and research in the Sabi Sands game reserve adjoining Kruger indicates it has an average range of 1.
It hides in thick woodland overlooking grassy areas and takes its prey in a short, sharp swoop. It feeds almost completely on small birds but sometimes takes insects. It is very active when veld fires break out and will hunt birds and insects fleeing from the flames. Resident. Prey Ninty- seven percent of its diet is other birds - doves, mousebirds, swallows, weavers, bishops and mannikins; also insects, bats and lizards.
As birds go, sunbirds must be among gardeners' favourites. Well, apart from being seriously attractive, they go for gaudy.
Where best to find them Often associated with water holes and thicker riverine bush in northern Kruger; sometimes at Orpen. African Goshawk (Accipiter Tachiro) Afrikaans: Afrikaanse Sperwer The African Goshawk is not common in Kruger and there is uncertainty as to its exact status here - it is restricted mostly to patches of dense riverine bush. It is known for its characteristic early morning call and aerial display. Pairs nest in tall trees and thick bush along riverbeds, with each pair asserting itself over a territory of about 2. It often changes its roosting site. It feeds mainly on other birds - particularly doves, francolin and quail as well as nestlings and bats. It also hunts rodents.
Search for breeders of exotic birds & pet parrots or Browse the exotic bird aviaries & breeders by state If you contact any of these bird breeders, please mention. The rain had cleared just in time for our day trip to Yengo National Park on the western outskirts of the Central Coast region. At Kulnura before our morning tea a. Goshawks and sparrowhawks are small to medium-sized raptors found usually in denser woodland. Their shorter wings give them greater manoeuvrability through tree.
An aggressive bird, often getting into altercations with other raptors - it has been seen taking on a Secretarybird and there are reports of it being attacked and eaten by Peregrine Falcons, Black Sparrowhawks and Shikra. Resident. Prey Hunts from the wing or a concealed perch; ninety- nine percent of its diet is other birds - mostly pigeons and doves, also cormorants, plovers, hornbills, shrikes, sparrows and weavers; less than one percent of diet is small animals such as rodents and mongooses. Where best to find them Well- developed woodland, especially along the Luvuvhu and Sabie Rivers.
Kruger Park Raptor Guide.