Get to know the gabar goshawk in this weeks bird of the week edition
These goshawk hunt in flight from perch, catching its prey on the wing or on the ground.
THE gabar goshawk is a common resident found over most of South Africa, but absent from most of the Western Cape.
They like any woodland, from riverine forests to arid savanna, where they feed mostly on small birds, mammals, reptiles and insects.
Found in pairs like an accipiter perching unobtrusively in the canopy of trees. They fly quickly from one tree to another. Hunts in flight from perch, catching its prey on the wing or on the ground.
They also tear open weavers nests for contents. Has a bold attitude that adapts to human settlements.
These goshawks are usually silent, but have various whistled calls especially a piping kew – he, kew – he, kew – heeee.
Breeding takes place from August to March. The nest is a small platform of little sticks usually covered with spider webs.
The bowl is lined with earth and built in a vertical fork of the upper branches of a tree. Two or three pale bluish white eggs are laid. The incubation period is 33 to 35 days and they are nestlings for 30 to 35 days.
The tribal name is Phakalane and in Afrikaans die kleinsingvalk.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram– why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
