168. Dark Chanting Goshawk (Melierax metabates)

Dark Chanting Goshawks are mostly found in sub-Saharan Africa, however there is a very small and sadly dwindling isolated population in the Western Palearctic, in a very small area of Morocco. Unlike the other sparrowhawks and goshawk, Dark Chanting Goshawks like to perch high up in exposed prominent places to look out for prey, which allows for some great photo opportunities - no trouble finding a photo today! They are kinda funny-looking to my mind, with long legs which are red, as is the bill. The sexes are alike, and the adult plumage is grey with black wing-tips and a pale rump, somewhat like a male Hen Harrier, but broader-winged and with a rounded tail tip and black centre to the upper tail. The juvenile plumage is brown above, streaked on the breast and coarsely barred on the belly. The flight is like that of an accipiter hawk - flap flap flap glide. Their preferred habitat is open parkland, savanna, semi-desert and cultivated areas.

Dark Chanting Goshawk, ©Frank.Vassen, via Flickr Creative Commons.

Dark Chanting Goshawk painting.

Tricky to get that shade of grey quite right.