African Harrier-Hawk
NameAfrican Harrier-Hawk
Common NameAfrican Harrier-Hawk
Scientific NamePolyboroides typus
FamilyAccipitridae
Wingspan (cm)104
Length (cm)63
Weight (g)775
Plumage DetailsAdult plumage is predominantly grey on the head, neck, and body, with black primary and secondary flight feathers. The belly and thighs are finely barred black and white. The tail is black with a broad white band. The bare facial skin is yellow to orange, and the eyes are yellow.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a high-pitched, drawn-out 'wheee-oh' or 'kweee-oo' call, often given in flight or from a perch. They also produce a rapid 'kek-kek-kek' alarm call when agitated.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatsforest, grassland, urban
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread across sub-Saharan Africa, found in a variety of wooded habitats from Senegal and Gambia east to Ethiopia, and south to South Africa.
Identifying Featuresgrey plumage, black flight feathers, yellow/orange facial skin, crested head, double-jointed legs
Description
This medium-sized raptor is characterized by its grey plumage, black flight feathers, and distinctive yellow or orange facial skin. It is known for its unique ability to use its double-jointed legs to probe into tree holes and crevices to extract prey, showcasing remarkable flexibility.
