Angola: -
The Peregrine Falcon also known historically as the "Duck Hawk" in North America. The Peregrine is renowned for its speed, reaching speeds of over 320 km/h (200 mph) during its characteristic hunting stoop, making it the fastest extant member of the animal kingdom.
It is a large Falcon, with a blue-grey back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache". Experts recognize 17 to 19 subspecies which vary in appearance and range. . It can be found nearly everywhere on Earth. This fact makes it the world's most widespread bird of prey. Both the English and scientific names of this species mean "wandering falcon", referring to the migratory habits of many northern populations. The females are larger than males and Peregrine's have a breeding range from the Arctic Tundra to the Tropic's
While its diet consists almost exclusively of medium-sized birds, the
Peregrine will occasionally hunt small mammals, small reptiles or even
insects. It reaches sexual maturity at one year and mates for life. They nest on cliff ledges.
The Peregrine Falcon has become an endangered species in many areas due to the use of pesticides, especially DDT.
These striking birds can be seen on the following Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures: -
Aves Arid Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure
Aves Eastern Cape Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure
Aves Highlands/Tembe Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure
Aves KZN Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure
Aves North East Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure
Aves North West Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure
Aves Western Cape Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure
Aves West Coast Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure
Sudan: -
The Secretary Bird - Sagittarius serpentarius - is a large, mostly terrestrial bird of prey, endemic to Africa and is usually found in the open grasslands and savannah.
It is instantly recognizable as having an eagle-like body on crane-like legs which increases the bird’s height to around 1.3 m (4 ft) tall. It has a eagle-like head, with a hooked bill and rounded wings. Body weight averages at about 3.3 kg (7.3 lbs) and the wingspan is over 2 m (6.6 ft). Due to its long legs and long tail, it is both longer and taller than any other diurnal raptor.
The neck is not especially long, and can only be lowered down to the
inter-tarsal joint, so birds reaching down to the ground or drinking
must stoop to do so.
From a distance or in flight it resembles a crane,
more than a bird of prey. The tail has two elongated central feathers
that extend beyond the feet during flight. The flight feathers and thighs are black, while most of the coverts are grey with some being white. Sexes look similar to one another, although the male has longer head plumes and tail feathers. Adults have
a featherless red face as opposed to the yellow facial skin of the
young.
It hunts its prey on foot and adults hunt in pairs and sometimes as loose
familial flocks, stalking through the habitat with long strides. Prey consists of insects, small mammals, lizards, snakes, birds, bird eggs and sometimes dead animals killed in grass or bush fires. It also waits
near fires, eating anything it can that is trying to escape.
These large striking birds can be seen on the following Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures: -
Aves Arid Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure
Aves Eastern Cape Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure
Aves Highlands/Tembe Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure
Aves KZN Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure
Aves North East Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure
Aves North West Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure
Aves Western Cape Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure
Aves West Coast Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure
