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Newsletter / Blog 2012-04-05 Range shift west for Black Sparrowhawk - Accipiter melanoleucus According to Ann Koeslag “The number of cells occupied by the Black Sparrowhawk in both SABAP1 and SABAP2 is almost exactly the same. This means that the species left existing territories and colonized new ones. The shift is most prominently away from Swaziland and Limpopo Province and into Western Cape, as well as into isolated spots of the Free State, Eastern Cape and the northern High Veld.” Ann suggests that the movement could be food related from chickens in rural areas to doves and pigeons in the towns and cities. Black Sparrowhawk The Black Sparrowhawk - Accipiter melanoleucus - is the largest African member of the genus Accipter. It occurs mainly in forests and non-desert areas south of the Sahara, particularly where there are large trees suitable for nesting. Description The plumage is predominantly black with a white chest and throat. The tails are cross-barred with about three or four paler stripes, and the undersides of the wings with perhaps four or five, but these are less well-defined. The cere and legs are yellow. Males are smaller than females. Call Males make loud “keeyp” call while females make short “kek” call. Food They prey primarily on birds, from small Doves to Hadeda and Guineafowl. Breeding These birds are particular about their nest sites. They prefer sites within the tree canopy, to protect their offspring from adverse weather conditions and other predators. Both parents build the nest. It lays 1 to 4 eggs, which are mainly incubated by the female for between 36 to 38 days, while the male feeds her regularly at the nest. The young fledge between 40 to 47 days. Conservation Status – Least Concern Not threatened, in fact its range and population have increased due to the spread of alien trees, which it commonly uses as nest sites. It is frequently killed because of its tendency to hunt homing pigeons and poultry, but this practice does not seem to be seriously impacting its numbers yet. Birdwatching Ask Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures to create a Aves custom tour for you or book on one of 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. Source: - The Southern African Bird Atlas Project 2 [SABAP2] Ann Koeslag - Black Sparrowhawk blog Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa. Birds of Africa South of the Sahara Roberts of Southern Africa Wikipedia the free encyclopedia.
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