Melierax poliopterus
The Eastern Chanting Goshawk, *Melierax poliopterus*, is a striking medium-sized raptor endemic to East Africa, characterized by its slender build and elegant appearance. Adults are predominantly pale grey, with darker grey upperparts, a conspicuous whitish rump, and finely barred white lower belly and thighs. Distinctive field marks include its long, bright red-orange legs, yellow cere, and piercing red eyes. It measures between 49-55 cm in length with a wingspan of 96-110 cm and weighs 500-...
Inhabits arid and semi-arid savannas, dry bushland, acacia scrub, and open woodlands. Typically found at elevations from sea level up to 2000 meters across its East African range.
Feeds primarily on large insects (especially locusts, grasshoppers, and beetles), lizards, snakes, small mammals (rodents), and small birds, often captured while hunting on the ground.
A diurnal raptor, the Eastern Chanting Goshawk spends much of its day perched conspicuously on trees, bushes, or utility poles, surveying its surroundings. Its primary foraging strategy involves hunting from these elevated perches, swooping down to capture prey, or more uniquely, walking and runn...
The Eastern Chanting Goshawk is endemic to East Africa, with its primary distribution stretching across Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, and central to eastern Tanzania. It is a resident species throughout its range, showing no significant migratory movements, typically remaining year-...
Least Concern
- The Eastern Chanting Goshawk is named for its distinctive, flute-like "chanting" vocalization, which is a characteristic sound of its dryland habitat. - It is one of the few raptors that frequently hunts by walking and running on the ground, often covering considerable distances in pursuit of p...