Bird
African Harrier-Hawk
Polyboroides typusAlso known as Gymnogene, Harrier Hawk, Banded Gymnogene
African harrier-hawks are uniquely agile raptors famous for double-jointed knees that bend both forward and backward, allowing them to probe deep crevices, tree hollows, and weaver nests for prey. Their bare facial skin flushes from pale yellow to bright crimson when excited, agitated, or engaged in territorial displays. During the breeding season, pairs perform undulating roller-coaster display flights over wooded canopies, calling out with plaintive, drawn-out whistles.
RaptorDiurnalCarnivorous
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyVillage Weaver, African Tree Toad, Striped Ground Squirrel
Predators
- Martial Eagle
- Verreaux's Eagle
- Verreaux's Eagle-Owl
ThreatsHabitat destruction, direct persecution, and secondary pesticide exposure
HabitatsWoodlands, forest edges, savannas, riparian corridors, and wooded suburban gardens
Life span15–20 years
Classification
- OrderAccipitriformes
- FamilyAccipitridae
- GenusPolyboroides
- SpeciesPolyboroides typus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Weaver Colonies: Scan noisy weaver nesting trees, where harrier-hawks frequently hang upside down while raiding hanging nests.
- Trunk Scrambling: Look for an unusual climbing posture on tree trunks, where the bird balances using flapping wings and flexible feet.
- Facial Color: Watch their bare eye-skin through binoculars to observe rapid color shifts from yellow to flush pink when agitated.
Prey (c) Bernard DUPONT, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Neighbor (c) Ferran Pestaña, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) Dan Harville, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Dan Harville · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Rob Foster, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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