One of Africa’s most unique and adaptable birds of prey, known not only for its distinctive appearance but also for its unusual hunting techniques that set it apart from other raptors. Found across much of sub-Saharan Africa, this bird is equally at home in forests, savannas, woodlands, and even cities, where it quietly goes about its business—often undetected—despite its impressive size.
This raptor stands out immediately due to its gray plumage, broad wings, and a striking bare facial patch of yellow or red skin, which can change color with the bird’s mood or activity level. It also has a long tail boldly banded in black and white and long, double-jointed legs—one of its most remarkable features.
Those legs allow the African harrier-hawk to do what few other raptors can: reach into holes, tree cavities, and crevices to pull out prey. This bird has evolved a hunting strategy that combines stealth, flexibility, and curiosity. It is often seen climbing around the branches of a tree or clinging to a vertical surface, using its long legs to probe inside nest holes, searching for bird chicks, eggs, bats, rodents, lizards, and insects. It’s an opportunistic feeder and won’t hesitate to scavenge or eat fallen fruit, making it one of the most versatile predators in its environment.
In flight, the African harrier-hawk soars with slow, steady wingbeats, gliding gracefully and often circling for long periods. From below, its black and white barred wings and tail make it easy to identify, especially when backlit against the sky. Its behavior is curious and calm on the ground or in trees, as it methodically checks every crevice for a possible meal.
Distribution
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
Congo-Brazzaville
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
