Black-winged (Black-shouldered) Kite

Elanus caeruleus

A: Blouvalk
G: Gleitaar
N: ǂnū-ǁgawo hīsabes
Sp: Segotšane
Ss: Segootsane
Tw: Segootsane
X: isitshisane
Z: udemezane, umazabelweni

BIRD FAMILY

Buzzards

SIZE
30 cm (M)

HABITAT
 Occurs in  broad-leaved woodland , mixed bushveld and well-treed farmlands. Often perches partially concealed in the canopy of a tree, but also conspicuously on telephone poles or dead trees where it scans the area before making a fast diving strike onto prey. Nomadic in movement, during winter months moves to more arid areas. Feeding on lizards, snakes and insects.

SPECIES DESCRIPTION
Fairly common resident. A small, stocky grey hawk resembling an  Accipiter , but distinguished by diagnostic white throat with vertical black streak and one (rarely two) bold white tail-band.  Immature  more buffy above and below, throat-streak less clear. The call is a whistling ‘klioo-klu-klu-klu’, uttered regularly while perched; also a ringing ‘peeeeo’.