Birding opportunities have been limited of late so a calling pair of African Harrier Hawks over the house was welcomed today. I managed to snap a couple of poor images, but it’s clear the bottom bird is a sub-adult.
Below is a closer image of the sub-adult, which I think was doing most of the calling.
African Harrier Hawk is certainly more common in and around Cape Town these days. The Atlas of the Birds of the Southwestern Cape (Hockey et al, 1989) has the following to say about the status of this species:
Uncommon resident. breeding July and August. Confined largely to the mountainous areas of the SW Cape. occuring at low densities throughout the main mountain chains. Immatures occasionally wander to the mountains of the Cape Peninsula.
David Winter
I seem to be very lucky with Gymnogene lately. Saw a very young juvenile in Tokai Plantation last month, and since then each time I’ve been to Kirstenbosch I had a pair flying over, and while I was driving up the M3 yesterday (Wed 23 June) one was also heading up the M3 towards town
Also had one overflying my complex in Tokai a few times and one memorable day, one was sitting on the roof of our complex, and all I got was a blurry photo, as the camera refused to focus on it.
African Harrier Hawk is certainly more common these days – I saw another sub-adult last week on Kloof Nek road – perhaps it was the same individual from my post?
Today I just saw a Harrier Hawk in ad. plumage on Kloof Nek. Saw it first in the Company gardens, but couldn’t get a good look at it. I found this post trying to find other accounts of Gymnogenes in downtown. It perched low in a street tree, flew up onto one of the buildings and looked to be foraging in a pigeon’s nest. Wonder if they’ll soon be common residents.
Saw a pair this morning in the tree outside our house. (upper Higgovale) Juvenile flew within a few meters of me while up on our roof. Looks like it was getting flying lessons. The adult would fly a distance and call, then the youngster would respond and follow. Very special moment to be so close to them. Will try for pictures and post them if they return.
This message from Mark Harrington via Cape Bird Net:
Hi all
As my office window at work overlooks the Company gardens in Cape Town (I’m on the 13th floor), I occasionally get to enjoy various eye-level sightings of assorted raptors as they cruise nonchalantly past. Last Friday was a Black Sparrowhawk chasing the pigeons in the gardens (not so nonchalantly though), while the previous week it was a Peregrine that was terrorising the same flock of “rats with wings”. However, I’ve just enjoyed the spectacle of mating African Harrier Hawks! I’ve previously noticed an adult once or twice in the past few weeks, especially in and around one of the large Gums next to the restaurant in the gardens, so I wasn’t overly excited when I noticed it again a few moments ago… Although I don’t always keep a pair of binoculars in my car (I know, I should…), I do have a pair permanently stationed in the office and on closer inspection through the bins, I noticed that its facial skin was flushed pink… No sooner had I thought ‘well that’s interesting’, than a second AHH (equally flushed) flew into the same tree. After only a minute or two, the second bird proceeded to ‘mount’ the first.
The ‘male’ (at least I presume it was the male…?) then took off, did several wide, lazy circles for my benefit at eye level barely 10 – 15 metres away, whereafter it disappeared in the direction of St George’s cathedral being pursued by several Hartlaub’s gulls. After a few minutes, I looked back to find the female still in position on her original perch, although, interestingly she’d already lost the majority of her pink flush and her facial skin had almost completely reverted to yellow.
What a way to spend a few minutes over lunch! For the Gymnogenes as well, no doubt…
All the best.
Mark Harrington
I spotted a gymnogene in de waal park today… saw it (i presume its the same on) last week close to saigon restaurant … for those interested
Wow! I had a visit from one of these birds yesterday evening, around 6pm and again this morning at 6.15am. It landed on my apartment roof (i live next door to Gardens Shopping Centre) and then on the roof of a house below me. Magnificent bird. Very beautiful bird of prey.
I have been quite fortunate this week, to have 5 separate sightings of (one of more) gymnogenes near my home in Rosmead Ave, Kenilworth (south of Cape Town).
The first was a male, with bright red facial colouration (breeding), which took me a very long time to ID, since I had never seen that combination before! It spent about 10 mins near me, first soaring in the NW-wind, then perching on a tree. Very special, though too far for photo…
I have subsequently seen numerous birds (not the same colouration), so they must be resident fairly close. They seem to fly near the large gum trees in our area, and being mobbed by various birds, including crows.
Yesterday I saw what I think is an African Harrier Hawk preying on a baby bird in a tree in the carpark of a local shopping centre (Somerset West). The parents of the baby bird were fearless – they were “dive-bombing” the hawk. Even after the hawk took off with the baby, the parents gave chase. It was such a surreal experience seing such an impressive display (from all parties) in the middle of town.
Hi
We recently saw a stunning adult gymnogene in Constantia greenbelt in November this year.Very fortunate to have had my camera and zoom lens with me and got some amazing photos of it scratching in a tree.
We live in Ifafi near Hartbeespoortdam. We have a Harrier hawk feeding a baby in one of our palms. The baby is already flying, and eats by itself. The mother/Father brings food daily.
I think I saw a juvenile gymnogene on the road between Bakoven and Camps Bay this morning. It was very dark in colour with a definite gymnogene “face”. He was watching the dassies. Yum breakfast for a gymnogene I am sure!
I spotted what appears to be an African Harrier Hawk from the top of my office block in Loop street this morning. Never seen something quite like it. Was typing away at my computer when I heard crows squaking and sea-gulls meuwing loudly. Turns out the hawk was on the edge of the building, presumably near a nest, and was being dive-bombed. Spectacular sight! A regal creature.
I saw a harrier hawk perched in one of my trees ( I live in Plumstead).
It was an awesome sight watching him go about his business.
Two Harrier Hawks circling in Trovato (Wynberg) today. One landed momentarily on the top of an Oak tree, about 10m away from me. Got a lovely look at it. Beautiful.
Thanks Rich. They really are becoming a common site in and around Cape Town these days. Cheers, David.
Saw a pair around sunset!
17 Invermark Crescent
Higgovale
CT
Parents and juvenile African Harrier Hawks visiting our Oak tree in Higgovale these past few days. This is the 2nd juvenile this pair has raised in 2 years we’ve been here. So awesome to see them within a few meters of us. Our cats are a little nervous when they are around and the squirrels are beside themselves as they lost a little baby to a hawk.