Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus Scientific name definitions

41–51 cm (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ); 600–650 g; wingspan 95–120 cm (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Mid-sized kite with falcon-like shape that is relatively larger and much broader- and blunter-winged than two other largely or all-dark raptors that share the African portion of its range in winter, and are similarly crepuscular, Eleonora's Falcon (Falco eleonorae) and Sooty Falcon (F. concolor) (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). In Africa, confusion also suspected with Grey Kestrel (F. ardosiaceus), which may also hunt bats around dusk (2 Farnsworth, S. J., R. F. Coomber, P. Jones, S. C. Madge, R. Webb, and M. Witherick (2000). Recent observations of some bird species previously considered uncommon or rare in Ethiopia. Bulletin of African Bird Club 7(1):34–46. Close ). Present species has wide gape but small delicate bill . Yellow eyes , together with white eyelids, throat  and occipital spots, all contrast with dark plumage. White on underparts may be completely covered but always present and more extensive in juvenile , which has broad brown lower breastband (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Long, pointed wings and tail, barred flight feathers and protruding carpal joint notable in flight. Female up to 6% larger than male (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Races distinguished by darkness of plumage, extent of white on underparts and crest, size and crest length; nominate alcinus is largest race (wing 371–412 mm) and darkest with white throat-sides and chest; papuanus (wing 338–378 mm) has smaller crest than alcinus with more white ventrally and white nuchal collar; and <em>anderssoni</em> is smallest race (wing 324–360 mm), with white below very variable in extent and has indistinctly barred flight-feathers (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

Editor's Note: This article requires further editing work to merge existing content into the appropriate Subspecies sections. Please bear with us while this update takes place.

Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Most widespread in evergreen forest and dense deciduous woodland, often associated with limestone; extends to drier savanna, where bats and exotic plantations exist, often entering towns, and regularly hunts over open areas including wetlands, old mine workings, etc. (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ) Roosts by day in dense foliage, perching very upright but hunched, and usually on one leg (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Recorded from sea-level to 1000 m in New Guinea (4 Pratt, T. K., and B. M. Beehler (2015) Birds of New Guinea. Second edition. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, USA. Close ), at 2000 m on Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (5 Grimshaw, J. M. (1995). Birds of prey and owls of the western and northern slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Scopus 19(1): 27–37. Close ), and up to 2150 m in Malawi (6 Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (2006). A Contribution to the Ornithology of Malawi. Tauraco Research Report 8. Tauraco Press, Liège, Belgium. Close ).

Generally considered resident in tropics, but renowned in subtropical S Africa for appearing far from normal habitat and just one record of  breeding in Madagascar (in far NE) (7 Safford, R. J., and A. F. A. Hawkins, Editors (2013). The Birds of Africa. Volume 8. The Malagasy Region. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), where known from widely scattered parts of the island and appears in SW and around Antananarivo only during austral winter (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ); described as visitor to parts of NE Africa. One, unconfirmed, report from the Comoros (Anjouan, Aug 1995) (7 Safford, R. J., and A. F. A. Hawkins, Editors (2013). The Birds of Africa. Volume 8. The Malagasy Region. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Several recent records from Irian Jaya may indicate that it is a previously overlooked low-density resident, rather than just a visitor (8 van Balen, S.(B.), Noske, R. and Supriatna, A.A. (2011). Around the Archipelago. Kukila. 15: 126–143. Close ).

Primarily 20–75 g insectivorous bats  (larger species apparently ignored (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ) ); in Malawi one recorded taking seven Tadarida sp. in 20 minutes (6 Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (2006). A Contribution to the Ornithology of Malawi. Tauraco Research Report 8. Tauraco Press, Liège, Belgium. Close ); in Cameroon two adults caught 14 bats (identity unreported) in 18 minutes (9 Buij, R. and Croes, B.M. (2014). Raptors in northern Cameroon, December 2005–December 2010. Bull. African Bird Club. 21(1): 26–63. Close ). Also small birds up to size of doves also important, but mainly cave-nesting Aerodramus and Collocalia swiftlets in Malaysia/Indonesia (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), and some large flying insects taken. Avian prey mainly hirundines and swifts, but nightjars, various passerines and even African Emerald Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus) all recorded (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). In a study in W Madagascar, bats accounted for c. 58% of minimum number of individuals and 30% on biomass, whereas birds accounted for c. 36% of minimum number of individuals and 70% on biomass (10 Goodman, S.M., Razakaratrimo, S.V.J. and Réné de Roland, L.-A. (2016). An analysis of Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus diet in the Melaky Region of lowland western Madagascar. Ostrich. 87(1): 77–80. Close ). Captures all prey by fast aerial pursuit from the rear; mainly crepuscular, but hunts throughout night when moonlit. Less commonly soars and hunts during the day. Favours open hunting areas, especially over water and around floodlights. Takes prey in the feet and usually swallows it whole in flight via large gape; even birds dealt with thus, but larger bats and birds may be taken to a perch (many bats are apparently dropped in flight (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ) ). Can capture and ingest a single bat in 6 sec, 5 in 5 min, or up to 17 (total daily requirements) in an evening. Young birds apparently dependent on juvenile bats (11 Hartley, R. and Hustler, K. (1993). A less-than-annual breeding cycle in a pair of African Bat-Hawks Macheiramphus alcinus. Ibis. 135(4): 456-458. Close ).

Usually silent away from vicinity of nest, where gives weak falcon-like chattering "kek-kek-kek...", or high-pitched "kwik-kwik-kwik-kwik" (shriller in female), a more musical "chuk-chik-chuk", mellow "woot-woot-woot", and in New Guinea (where perhaps more vocal) a typically hawk-like "kee-kee-kee-kee-kee" (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ) or a series of 11–13 high-pitched  , rather weak notes, the first notes slightly lower in pitch and much weaker than the following, lasting c. 4 seconds: "sip-sip-tsip-tip-tip-tip-tip-tip-tip-tip-tip(-tip-tip)", repeated at intervals of c. 30 seconds (12 van Balen, S., Suryadi, S. and Kalo, D. (2003). A second sighting of Bat Hawk in lrian Jaya (Papua). Kukila. 12: 70-71. Close ); also a fast "qwhuit", the first part whistled and the latter part ascending (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), and a repeated, short, rising bisyllabic "kleEK"  , heard around the nest (12 van Balen, S., Suryadi, S. and Kalo, D. (2003). A second sighting of Bat Hawk in lrian Jaya (Papua). Kukila. 12: 70-71. Close ).

Laying probably Apr in Gabon; Mar (–Jun (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ) ), Oct–Nov in Sierra Leone; Apr–Aug (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), Oct in E Africa; Sept–Nov in Malawi (6 Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (2006). A Contribution to the Ornithology of Malawi. Tauraco Research Report 8. Tauraco Press, Liège, Belgium. Close ); Aug–May (peak Sept–Dec (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ) ) in S Africa; Dec in Madagascar (7 Safford, R. J., and A. F. A. Hawkins, Editors (2013). The Birds of Africa. Volume 8. The Malagasy Region. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ); Apr–Sept (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ) in Malaysia and Sumatra. Aerial courtship behavior includes many acrobatic (rolling and tumbling) manoeuvres, and talon-grappling (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Pair in Zimbabwe, nesting in urban situation, bred every 10–11 months, over period of five years (11 Hartley, R. and Hustler, K. (1993). A less-than-annual breeding cycle in a pair of African Bat-Hawks Macheiramphus alcinus. Ibis. 135(4): 456-458. Close ). Builds substantial platform of sticks  (50–100 cm wide by 30–50 cm deep, lined with finer twigs and sometimes green leaves (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ) ), broken off with the feet in flight; favours outer lateral forks on uncluttered branches to facilitate landing. Usually at 10–60 m above ground (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ) in large light-barked emergent tree, e.g. eucalypts, baobabs or mahogany, e.g. Khaya nyassica (Meliaceae) (11 Hartley, R. and Hustler, K. (1993). A less-than-annual breeding cycle in a pair of African Bat-Hawks Macheiramphus alcinus. Ibis. 135(4): 456-458. Close ), Sterculia africana (Malvaceae) or Brachystegia glaucescens (Fabaceae) (13 Tarboton, W. (2001). A Guide to the Nests and Eggs of Southern African Birds. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa. Close ), as these are easily visible at night. Nest  can be reused (e.g. for at least six years at Blantyre, Malawi) (6 Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (2006). A Contribution to the Ornithology of Malawi. Tauraco Research Report 8. Tauraco Press, Liège, Belgium. Close ), but even then period of nest repair can take 30–50 days (11 Hartley, R. and Hustler, K. (1993). A less-than-annual breeding cycle in a pair of African Bat-Hawks Macheiramphus alcinus. Ibis. 135(4): 456-458. Close ). one large dull white (13 Tarboton, W. (2001). A Guide to the Nests and Eggs of Southern African Birds. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa. Close ) egg (rarely two), 62 mm × 46 mm (13 Tarboton, W. (2001). A Guide to the Nests and Eggs of Southern African Birds. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa. Close ); incubation 48–53 days, by both sexes but mainly female (13 Tarboton, W. (2001). A Guide to the Nests and Eggs of Southern African Birds. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa. Close ), fledging 67 days, both periods unusually prolonged; chicks have white down, fed by female but provisioned by male (13 Tarboton, W. (2001). A Guide to the Nests and Eggs of Southern African Birds. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa. Close ); post-fledging dependence period lasts 70–80 days (11 Hartley, R. and Hustler, K. (1993). A less-than-annual breeding cycle in a pair of African Bat-Hawks Macheiramphus alcinus. Ibis. 135(4): 456-458. Close ). If first breeding attempt fails, may lay replacement clutch in same season (in one instance, 68 days later) (11 Hartley, R. and Hustler, K. (1993). A less-than-annual breeding cycle in a pair of African Bat-Hawks Macheiramphus alcinus. Ibis. 135(4): 456-458. Close ). No obvious sexual size dimorphism or provisioning of female by male; both sexes share incubation, brooding and feeding of chick.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). CITES II. Rough global population estimate of only 1000–10,000 individuals; numbers suspected to be stable given absence of any known substantial threats. Status difficult to assess owing to nocturnal habits and custom of roosting in densely foliaged trees; often considered uncommon to rare, e.g. in Ethiopia (2 Farnsworth, S. J., R. F. Coomber, P. Jones, S. C. Madge, R. Webb, and M. Witherick (2000). Recent observations of some bird species previously considered uncommon or rare in Ethiopia. Bulletin of African Bird Club 7(1):34–46. Close ), Mali (14 Spierenburg, P. (2000). Nouvelles observations de six espèces d’oiseaux au Mali. Malimbus 22(1):23–28. Close ) and Nigeria (15 Demey, R., F. Dowsett-Lemaire, and R. J. Dowsett (2003). Notable bird observations from Nigeria, including the first records of Spot-breasted Ibis Bostrychia rara and Yellow Longbill Macroshenus flavicans. Malimbus 25(2):85–94. Close ). Probably at low densities, with home range of c. 450 km² in South Africa. Some evidence of local increases in Madagascar, perhaps reflecting greater abundance of bats (7 Safford, R. J., and A. F. A. Hawkins, Editors (2013). The Birds of Africa. Volume 8. The Malagasy Region. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). May be declining in Borneo, where very few records from Kalimantan (16 Wilkinson, R., G. Dutson, B. Sheldon, Darjono, and Y. S. Noor (1991). The avifauna of Barito Ulu region, Central Kalimantan. Kukila 5(2):99–116. Close ) but might be merely under-recorded throughout the island (17 Mann, C. F. (2008). The Birds of Borneo: An Annotated Checklist. B.O.U. Checklist 23. British Ornithologists’ Union, and British Ornithologists’ Club, Peterborough. Close ), and known from very few records on Sulawesi (18 Riley, J., Y. Hunowu, J. Mole, and M. F. Wangko (2003). Noteworthy records of birds from the Panua Nature Reserve, North Sulawesi. Kukila 12:17–26. Close ). Apparently more widespread and common in tropical areas, and even in cities. Nests vulnerable to destruction by high winds. Not known to be affected by pesticides, although bat prey probably susceptible.