Ardea
Official journal of the Netherlands Ornithologists' Union

login


[close window] [previous abstract] [next abstract]

Smeenk C. & Smeenk-Enserink N. (1975) Observations on the Pale Chanting Goshawk Melierax poliopterus with comparative notes on the Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar. ARDEA 63 (3-4): 93-115
The Pale Chanting Goshawk Melierax poliopterus, one of the most common birds of prey of the arid lowlands of north-eastern Africa, was studied in Tsavo National Park East, Kenya. Observations on the size of the home range and on various aspects of the breeding biology were made. There were two breeding seasons (Table 1 and 2); eggs were laid in the latter half of one of the dry seasons and the chicks were usually reared during the rains; pairs were able to raise two broods a year. Incubation lasted 36-38 days; clutch size was 1 or 2, but in all cases only 1 chick was fledged successfully. Downy chicks showed a most peculiar crest of long, dark grey, hair-like feathers (Fig. 4); in one stage of the development of the juvenile plumage the underside showed a most characteristic pattern of three feather zones (Fig. 6). The nestling period was 7-8 weeks; the post-fledgling period may have lasted several months. The species is a still hunter living mainly on lizards (Table 3). Breeding success seemed to some extend dependent on rainfall. Comparative observations on the Gabar Goshawk Micronisus (Melierax) gabar were made. The species laid eggs late in the long dry season (Table 4); the chicks were fledged during the rains. Downy chicks were white and covered with short down only (Fig. 10); the first juvenile feathers on the underside formed a characteristic 'bib' on the upper breast (Fig. 11). The nestling period lasted about 4 weeks. The species is a dashing hunter of mainly small birds and nestlings. The considerable differences in downy plumage, in growth pattern on the underside, and in voice indicate that Melierax and Micronisus are not very closely related. Micronisus probably is a near relative of Accipiter, in view of the similarity in downy plumage, voice and the occurrence of melanistic forms in both genera; it may be closely related to A. ovampensis. Melierax seems to occupy a rather isolated position within the Accipitridae.


[close window] [previous abstract] [next abstract]