Dark chanting goshawk

Introduction: Dark chanting goshawks (Melierax metabates) inhabit broad-leaved woodland with tall trees such as mopane and Zambezi teak, marula and knob thorn trees.

Distribution: North and north-eastern Namibia including Etosha National Park, Caprivi.

Diet: Diverse diet which includes, rodents, francolins, mongooses, snakes, fish, grasshoppers, beetles and locusts. Also takes carrion.

Description: Grey upper parts and head. Barred grey and dark grey flight feathers.

Breeding: Both sexes build a saucer-shaped nest built of sticks, usually cemented together with mud, stones, dung and skin. Females lay 1 or 2 eggs laid at 3 day intervals and incubated for around 37 days.

Size: 45cm

Weight: 900g.

Wingspan: 1m.