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Variable, sometimes still hunting, generally not shy, also observed chasing poultry and weaver assemblages in native villages; it can be seen flying overhead, or very low, sometimes following river bed, but also seen gliding from post to post, also active dusk (Louette & Herroelen 2007).
Least Concern
Large black and white Accipiter hawk that occurs across the Afrotropics. Prefers habitats where trees are found but will hunt in open areas as well. Adapts to artificial forests (plantations) as well. Prefers the still hunting methods and preys mainly on birds.
Black and white (pied). Underside generally white, yellow legs are unfeathered (as opposed to the legs of Spizaeteus sp. and Hieraaetus sp.). Juveniles may be rufous or cream and streaked (Kemp 1994, Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001).
Widely in tropical Africa (from Senegal to South Africa) and Ethiopia.
More information about the distribution of the two subspecies is available at ibc.lynxeds.com.
Simulated distribution for the present (based on recent observed climate change), for 2025, 2055 and 2085 (based on projected future climate change) is available (BirdLife International and Durham University 2011) at: http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3464&cid=556&m=2
Sister species of A. gentilis. Fills the niche of large bird hunting raptor in the Afrotropics. Marked morphological differences on feet and bill compared to A. gentilis (Wattel 1973).
Sister species to A. gentilis from the Nearctic and Palearctic (Breman et al. 2013).
Has recently been DNA barcoded (Breman et al. unpublished).
May form a superspecies with A. gentilis, A. henstii and A. meyerianus (Global Raptor Information Network 2011).
Forests and savanna woodlands. Occurs from sea level up to 3700 m (Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001).
Probably comparable to A.gentilis which can live for more than 10 years (Kenward et al. 1999). At least 5 years according to Brown & Brown (1979) but this was based on one pair only.
Females may be confused with African hawk eagles (Hieraaetus sp.). Juveniles may be confused with female A. tachiro.
Sedentary, sometimes migratory (Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001)
Adult: upperparts brownish or black. Venter white. Flanks broadly barred or mottled black and white. Melanistic variant exists where only throat is white. Tarsus and toes fairly heavy and long. Claws and bill heavy. Wing moderate and rounded (Wattel 1973).
Resident, quickly colonises new territories (Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001)
Population size: 100.000 mature individuals.
The large stick nest is placed high in a tree (Global Raptor Information Network 2011). Breeding mainly done by female. Clutch size: 2-4 eggs; incubation time 34-38 days.
Length: 46-85 cm
Habitat loss and pesticides (Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001 in BirdLife International 2011)
Decreasing (Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001 in BirdLife International 2011)
It feeds on intermediate-sized birds which are hunted in flight. Mammals and other animals are of low importance for this species (Brown & Brown 1979, Kemp 1994, BirdLife International 2011).
