The Eastern Chanting Goshawk (Melierax poliopterus) is an east African bird of prey – a raptor.
The Eastern Chanting Goshawk has a grey head, neck, chest, and upperparts. Its tail is barred black and white. It has narrow grey and white bars on its belly. Its beak is sharp and black with a yellow cere. Its legs are orange-red with strong talons (claws).
Eastern Chanting Goshawk
It averages 49-55 centimetres (19-22 inches) tall, with a wingspan of 96-110 centimetres (38-43 inches), and a tail length of 20-25 centimetres (8-10 inches).
It lives in semi-desert, dry bush, and wooded grasslands in southern Ethiopia, Djibouti, western Somalia, eastern Kenya, Uganda, and northeastern Tanzania.
The eastern chanting goshawk is usually seen alone – it is solitary – often perched on the top of a tree or pole.
Eastern Chanting Goshawk
Eastern Chanting Goshawk
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM