Dark Chanting Goshawk

Melierax metabates

A: Donkersingvalk
G: Graubürzel-Singhabicht, Dunkler Grauflügelhabicht
N: ǀhai-ǁgawo |hai|aub
Sp: Mmankokonono wa lephegoputswa
Ss: Mmankokonono wa lepheoputswa
Tw: Mmankokonono wa lefukakotswana
Z: uheshoculayo wasehlanze

BIRD FAMILY
Goshawks and Sparrowhawks

SIZE
50-56 cm (L)

HABITAT
Frequents broad-leaved woodland and mixed bushveld; usually perches within the canopy on the top of a tree. South of the Limpopo River its range is mostly east of Pale Chanting Goshawk . Feeds on reptiles, game birds, rodents and insects often hunting on foot.

SPECIES DESCRIPTION
Fairly common resident. Very similar but smaller than Pale Chanting Goshawk with slightly darker grey. In flight, the upper wings appear more uniformly grey, the rump finely barred (not pure white). Black on wing tips more restricted to primaries. Immature browner, the soft parts initially yellow, becoming orange or coral red while still in immature plumage. In breeding season, adults call from a perch for long periods ‘phaleeoophwe-phwe-phwe-phwe…’, the last sound often repeated up to 30 times , giving the name ‘chanting’. Higher pitched than Pale Chanting.