African Harrier-Hawk

Afrikaans name: Kaalwangvalk

African Harrier Hawk

Photo © Steven Herbert

Polyboroides typus

The African Harrier-Hawk, as it is now called, is more commonly called the Gymnogene. Adult birds have grey plumage while juveniles are brown.

This raptor is found in woodland as well as suburban areas.

The African Harrier-Hawk spends its days clambering around in trees where it investigates holes looking for birds and chicks in nests. The legs of the African Harrier-Hawk are double-jointed which gives it the ability to feel round in all directions inside a hole.

Besides stealing birds from nests it will catch small mammals and it also eats the fruit of the Oil Palm.

The African Harrier-Hawk lays up to 3 eggs.

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References and further reading

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 136

An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Year Published: 1974 - Page: 40

An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Year Published: 1974 - Page: 110

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 68

Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Author: Peter Steyn - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 201

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Year Published: 1992 - Page: 22

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Year Published: - Page: 63

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 14

Eagles, Hawks & Falcons of the World - Author: Leslie Brown and Dean Amadon - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 372

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 52

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 2000 - Page: 184

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 152

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 148

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 122

The Status & Conservation of Birds of Prey in the Transvaal - Author: W. Tarboton and D. Allan - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 91

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 56

List of South African Birds