Gabar Goshawk

Overview

The gabar goshawk (Micronisus gabar) is a small species of bird of prey native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It belongs to the family Accipitridae and is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Plumage: Polymorphic with two distinct forms; the commoner pale form features grey upperparts, a white rump, and barred underparts, while the rarer form is almost entirely black.
• Size: Body length ranges from 28–36 cm with a 63 cm wingspan; females are significantly larger than males, weighing 167–240 g compared to 90–173 g for males.
• Features: Adults possess dark eyes, long legs, and a red cere, whereas immatures have yellow cere and legs with browner, untidier plumage.

Habitat

Found in sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, the species inhabits open woodland, dry Acacia savanna, and broad-leaved woodland types such as miombo, cluster-leaf Terminalia, and mopane. In arid regions like the Karoo and Namib Desert, it is often restricted to tree-lined watercourses but may also venture into urban areas.

Diet

Small birds form the major part of its diet, supplemented by small mammals, reptiles, and insects. Prey is typically flushed from trees and captured via persistent pursuit, or caught by swooping from a perch; the bird also attacks colonial bird nests to snatch chicks.

Did you know?

When constructing their small platform nests, gabar goshawks collect spider webs complete with live spiders, which spin new webs to camouflage the structure and consume arthropods that might otherwise parasitise the chicks.