Eastern Chanting Goshawk

The Eastern Chanting Goshawk, also known as the Somali Chanting Goshawk, is a bird of prey that graces the skies of East Africa. With a length ranging from 49 to 55 cm and a wingspan of 96 to 110 cm, this raptor presents a striking figure. The tail, measuring 20 to 25 cm, is shorter and graduated compared to its relatives. Males are typically 85 percent the size of the larger females.

Identification Tips

Adults of this species boast a grey plumage on the head, neck, breast, and upperparts, with the exception of white or lightly barred uppertail coverts. The belly is adorned with narrow grey and white bars, and the undertail coverts are pure white. From below, the bird appears predominantly white with a grey head and dark wingtips. The tail is blackish above and white with grey bars below. A yellow cere and orange-red legs add a splash of color to this elegant bird. Juveniles, on the other hand, are a dull brown with a pale eye stripe and streaked underparts, distinguishable from their relatives by the less barred undertail coverts and rump, and slightly longer legs.

Habitat

The Eastern Chanting Goshawk is often found in semidesert, dry bush, and wooded grasslands, thriving at elevations up to 2000 meters.

Distribution

This goshawk's range extends across southern Ethiopia, Djibouti, western Somalia, eastern Kenya, northeastern Tanzania, and adjacent regions of Uganda.

Behaviour

A social creature, the Eastern Chanting Goshawk can be seen in groups of up to 16 individuals, hunting cooperatively and sharing their bounty. They are known to perch atop mountains and other rocky outcrops, scanning the landscape with shallow, "straight-arm" wingbeats, or gliding with wings held flat or in a 'C' shape.

Song & Calls

The calls of this goshawk are a melodious "rhee-opee-opee-opee" and a low-pitched "kleee-yeu," slightly higher in pitch than those of the dark chanting goshawk. During nesting season, it produces a "pereu-pereu-pereu-repee-repee-repee-repee…" which is the origin of its enchanting name.

Diet and Feeding

The Eastern Chanting Goshawk preys on large insects like beetles, small to medium-sized birds such as doves, rodents, and particularly favors lizards, which it deftly snatches from the ground. Occasionally, it may also consume carrion.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Eastern Chanting Goshawk as Least Concern, indicating a stable population within its habitat.