Diurnal birds of prey – Order Accipitriformes
This order of birds of prey includes hawks, eagles, snake-eagles, harriers, buzzards, vultures, kites and Secretary bird but not falcons. There are 4 families in this order. We will introduce 3 different families to you.
Africa is a paradise for birds of prey lovers. Not only occur many species, but also there can be a quite high density.
Birds of prey – Family Accipitridae
Birds of prey are from small to large. Their diet varies from insects to small antelopes, fish, snakes, rodents, birds and carrion. Each species has its ecological niche and some are quite specialized in their diet and the way they hunt.
Characteristic in all birds of prey is the hooked beak with a sharp tip and the strong tarsi with tough claws.
For sure birds of prey are always an attraction and observing them is a great pleasure. They can just sit on a branch, soar or fight over food. Most of them are very territorial and defend the borders vehemently against intruders. Young birds of prey are tolerated up to several year when they reach adulthood and their plumage expresses this. A Bateleur for example is a full adult with around 7 years and before that it is a plain brown bird which hinders the territory holders (parents) not to consider it as a competitor. Young Bateleurs feed on carrion and change diet when growing up. Young or immature birds of prey are often difficult to identify.
Some birds of prey live in pairs, others solitary and find a mate for the breeding season. The females are mostly larger than males. Sexual dimorphism in color is mainly minimal.
Depending on the author old world vultures are divided into 2 subfamilies
Gypaetinae – Bearded Vulture, Egyptian Vulture and Palm-nut Vulture
Aegyptiinae – Gyps species, Lappet-faced Vulture, White-headed Vulture
Osprey – Family Pandionidae – consists of 2 species and several subspecies. They are fish eating birds and scales on their feet assist grabbing slippery fish. They are nomadic and sedentary.
Also in the order Accipitriformes is the Secretary bird which is the only species in the family Sagittariidae. It has a raptor like beak and long crane like legs. They live in pairs in savannas and open grassland. They don’t even shy away from killing venomous snakes. With their long sharp claws and strong feet they stamp on prey until it is dead. Scales on the legs protect them from bites. They walk and search for reptiles, insects and rodents. The nest is on a flat tree and both parents raise the young. They can fly but prefer walking.
Without the generosity of photographers who allowed us to use their amazing photos this page with such a variety of birds of prey had not been possible.
Click on the photo for larger view.
Birds of prey are amazing to observe!
Osprey (Pandion h. haliaetus) is fairly common at water bodies with fish. Many are migrants. Photo by Lorenzo Barelli
Kites – Subfamily Elaninae are small raptors with long wings
Black-winged (former black-shouldered) Kite (Eleanus c. caeruleus) is a small bird of prey spread over Africa in savanna with trees. It can be locally very common.
Scissor-tailed (African Swallow-tailed) Kite (Chelictinia riocourii) migrates from West Africa to arid savanna in Northern Kenya. Photo by Adam Scott Kennedy at Lake Turkana
Kite – Subfamily Milvinae (might be under revision)
Black Kite (Milvus m. migrans) is a common migrant to Africa between October to April. It can be recognized by the black beak tip. Photo by Jacques Pitteloud
Yellow-billed Kite (Milvus aegyptius parasitus) is very common and abundant in and around villages and towns South of the Sahara where they feed on openly dumped waste but also hunt rodents. Aegyptius winters from July to March.
“True hawks” – Subfamily Acciptrinae
this might be depending on the author of researcher but in this family are hawks, eagles, buzzards, vultures and relatives
African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) is found at lakes and rivers with fish and tall trees in Africa. Once you hear the voice of Africa you won’t forget it.
Palm-nut Vulture (Gypohierax angolensis) is found in areas in Africa with palm trees. They feed on palm fruits but occasionally also take carrion.
Depending on the author subfamily Gypaetinae
Egyptian Vulture (Neophron p. percnopterus) is sadly endangered and rare to spot. The distribution is mainly in savannahs in Northern Africa, the horn of Africa and East Africa. Intra-African migrant. Photo Lorenzo Barelli
Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis) is very rare in East Africa. Status near threatened. This subspecies is found in Eastern and Southern Africa. Photo by Hinesh Patel
Depending on the author subfamily Gypaetinae (also Egyptian Vulture)
Subfamily Gypinae – some of the old world vultures
Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) is threatend in numbers as most vultures. Good places to find it is Masai Mara and Samburu. The smallest of the vultures is specialized in picking tiny bits of meat from bones with the pincer like beak.
Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos t. tracheliotus) is the largest vulture in Africa. It is them who are needed to tear open the tough skin of an animal that died naturally and predators had not opened. They breed on top of trees.
White-headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis) is critically threatened. Despite it occurs in many regions South of the Sahara it has become very rare to spot one. Photo Per Holmen
White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) is critically threatened (poisoning is one big reason). They are found from West to East and Southern Africa. At some places you still find a nice number at kills.
Rüppel’s Vulture / Griffon (Gyps r. rueppelli) is also critically threatened for the same reason. The distribution of this subsepecies is in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania to East Sudan. They are often together at the same kill than White-backed Vultures. One breeding place is on the basalt lava cliff in Hell’s Gate.
Subfamily Circaetinae – Snake-Eagles, quite large birds with roundish heads, a piercing look and no feathers on the lower tarsi
Short-toed Snake-Eagle (Circaetus g. gallicus) is an uncommon migrant from September to March to arid deserts and semi arid savanna from West Africa to occasionally Northern Uganda and NW Kenya. Photo Marina Meger
Beaudouin’s Snake-Eagle (Circaetus beaudouini) is a vulnerable species found in moister savanna areas of Western Kenya, Uganda to West Africa than Short-toed Snake-Eagle. Photo Marina Meger
Black-chested Snake Eagle (Circaetus pectoralis) is found from deserts to savanna from the horn of Africa to Southern Africa. Photo Per Holmen
Brown Snake-Eagle (Circaetus cinereus) is widespread in savanna and woodland in Africa. Eating a young Black-necked Spitting Cobra.
Southern banded Snake-Eagle (Circaetus fasciolatus) is mainly found in forested coastal regions from Somalia to Southern Africa. Photo by Jacques Pitteloud
Western banded Snake-Eagle (Circaetus cinerascens) occurs locally in wooded areas often near rivers from Western to Eastern Africa. Photo by Per Holmen
Bateleur (Teratopius ecaudatus) is a very interesting bird. Young remain brown for almost 7 years not to trigger to be chased out of the territory. Young are found on carcasses together with vultures. Widespread in Africa’s savanna. Morphs with rufous or grey backs. Female and male differ in colour.
Harriers – Subfamily Circinae have long tails and long, narrow wings. They often fly very low over the ground.
Western Marsh Harrier (Circus a. aeruginosus) is a palearctic migrant from October to April. It is found from West to Southern Africa in marshes and swamps. Photo Lorenzo Barelli
African Marsh Harrier (Circus ranivorus) is more common in Southern than in Eastern Africa in marshes and wetlands. Photo Jacques Pitteloud
Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) is an uncommommon palearctic migrant and can be found in grassland from October to April. Photo Jacques Pitteloud
Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus) is a widespread and quite common migrant to Africa’s savanna and grassland from October to April. Photo Janet Barelli
Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus) left male, right female which looks very similar to the female of the Pallid Harrier.
Harrier Hawks – Subfamily Polyboroidinae
African Harrier Hawk / Gymnogene (Polyboroides t. typus) is widespread in Africa. They raid nests from trees or hang on a stem with their adapted double-jointed legs and pick chicks out of tree holes. Occasionally they also feed on rodents. Young birds are brownish for a couple of years. The yellow patch in the face can change to orange depending on the bird’s mood. Feasting on a rat
Subfamily Perninae – a number of medium seized, broad winged raptors. Most of them are mainly feeding on insects.
African Cuckoo Hawk (Aviceda cuculoides verreauxii) uncommon and often overlooked in dense forest and forest fringes from Kenya to Namibia. Photo by Lorenzo Barelli
European Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus) is an uncommon migrant to Africa. It is specialized to feed on bees. Photo taken near Malindi.
Chanting Goshawks – Subfamily Melieraxinae
3 species, 2 of them in Eastern Africa
Dark Chanting Goshawk (Melierax m. metabates) occurs in western Kenya, Uganda and Northern Tanzania. They are uncommon but good chances to find it are in the Masai Mara.
Eastern Chanting Goshawk (Melierax poliopterus) is endemic to Northeastern Africa in open savanna and semi arid areas. Likes perching on trees. Young birds are brownish.
“True Hawks” – Subfamily Accipitrinae
subfamilies are subject to authors. Melierax sp. Might be in this subfamily
Bat Hawk (Macheiramphus alcinus anderssoni) is uncommon in woodland from Ivory Coast to Mocambique. Their main diet are bats, but also Swifts and therefore they are crepuscular and nocturnal. While roosting during day time they are often overlooked. Photo Jacques Pitteloud
Gabar Goshawk (Micronisus gabar aequatorius) is found in woodland also in semi arid areas with some trees from Ethiopia to Mozambique. Main diet are birds. On the right is an immature Gabar Goshawk.
Black Sparrowhawk / Black Goshawk / Great Sparrowhawk (Accipiter m. melanoleucus) is found from Sudan to South Africa in wooded areas. Chicken and other birds are their main diet.
African Goshawk (Accipiter tachiro sparsimfasciatus) is the subspecies in forests from Ethiopia to Mocambique. Quite common.
Rufous-brested, Red-chested (red-breasted) Sparrowhawk (Accipiter r. rufiventris) is scarce in highland forests in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Photo by Abdulrahman Adam Hassan
Ovambo Sparrowhawk (Accipiter ovampenis) is a rare raptor found in savanna and tall woodland from West to Southern Africa. In Kenya chances might be highest in Masai Mara.
Shikra or Little banded Goshawk (Accipiter badius sphenurus) is a common resident and nomad in many parts of Africa. This subspecies is found from Arabia, DRC to Northern Tanzania. Habitat: Savanna and woodland. Photo Sandra Stüppardt
Little Sparrowhawk (Accipiter minullus) occurs from Northeastern to Southern Africa in forests and woodland, sometimes in gardens.
Buzzards – Subfamily Buteoninae
medium to large broad winged birds of prey. Some are residents, some migrants
Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo vulpinus) is a common migrant and spends the northern winter in savana and open country from Northeastern to Southern Africa.
Mountain Buzzard (Buteo oreophilus) occurs in higher altitudes (moorland) in Northeast Africa. Status: Near threatened
Augur Buzzard (Buteo augur) is probably the most often spotted buzzard in highlands from Northeaster to Southern Africa. Juveniles are often confusing. Dark and normal morph with white chest co-exist. Both have the rusty-brown short tail. Photos by Jacques Pitteloud and Lorenzo Barelli
Grasshopper Buzzard (Butastur rufipennis) occurs from West to East Africa in savannahs. They are common intra-African migrants. Photo by Lorenzo Barelli left, right by Elvira Wolfer from Tsavo East
Lizard Buzzard (Kaupifalco m. monogrammicus) is found in forests and wooded savanna in Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya exept in the South. They are mainly coastal birds and sparsely distributed inland.
Lizard Buzzard (Kaupifalco monogrammicus meridialis) occurs from Southern Kenya further South. Photo Per Holmen
Eagle – Subfamily Aquilinae
Mostly large, majestic birds which perch and soar. Their wings are fairly broad and their legs feathered. Young or immature birds are often hard to identify since the coloration differs.
Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga) is a vulnerable and scarce migrant to the horn of Africa. A breeding place is in Eastern Poland. Immature bird, Photo by Jacques Pitteloud at Lake Naivasha
Lesser Spotted Eagle (Clanga pomarina) is an uncommon migrant to savannahs in Africa from October to April. One bird with 1 blind eye has been visiting Nairobi National Park for the last few years. His name is “Blinky”.
Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis orientalis) is a common migrant from steppes in the far East. Sadly many get killed by hunters or electrolution hence the species is endangered. They migrate huge distances! Photo Lorenzo Barellier
Wahlberg’s Eagle (Hieraaetus wahlbergi) is an intra-African migrant. It is one of the smallest among the brown eagles. In flight the wings are rectangular and the yellow gap is not straigth.
Tawny Eagle (Aquila r. rapax) is one of the most common raptors found in African savanna. They hunt, steal other bird’s prey or pick from carcasses. Several color variations occur. In Northern Kenya and further North you find the subspecies Aquila rapax belisarius (photo on the right from Samburu)
Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) is a rare palearctic migrant from October to March to South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and very Northern Tanzania. Status: vulnerable. Photo Jacques Pitteloud
Verreaux’s (Black) Eagle (Aquila verreauxii) occurs in rocky areas from the horn of Africa to South Africa. They build nests on cliff and hunt Rock Hyraxes in pairs. Photo Lorenzo Barelli
African Hawk-Eagle (Aquila spilogaster) is uncommon in woodland and Savanna. They are often seen in pairs. Photo Lorenzo Barelli
Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) is a small uncommon migrant from Asia to different habitats in Africa. They breed on cliffs. One small population breeds in South Africa. Photo Jacques Pitteloud
Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle (Hieraaetus ayresii) can be a resident or intra-African migrant. It is an uncommon species in woodland and forest. Photo by Ivo Zafirov
Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis) is easy to recognize with the long crest feathers and the white patch on the under part of the wings. It occurs in wooded areas in many parts of Africa.
African Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus) is a large forest dwelling eagle specialized in hunting monkeys. Widespread in African forests, but not common. Status near threatened
Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) is the largest eagle in Africa. It loves guineafowls but also hunts hares, smaller antelopes and monitor lizards. Wide spread in savannahs. They defend large territories. Status endangered
This young Martial Eagle was feeding on a Helmeted Guineafowl in Samburu. It is clearly visible that to protect the eyes from strong sun light they close the 3rd eye lid. Many birds have these “sunglasses” which is called translucent nictitating membrane.
Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is endemic to savannas and open grassland in Africa South of the Sahara. They live in pairs.
