Eastern Chanting-Goshawk Melierax poliopterus Scientific name definitions

45–55 cm (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ); male 514–581 g, female 673–802 g; wingspan 96–110 cm (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Mid-sized Accipiter-like hawk with relatively broad wings, a short graduated tail and predominantly grey plumage; shape and flight action much like those of M. metabates, although present species averages larger and longer-legged (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Averages paler than partially sympatric M. metabates, especially the wings (although primary tips are blacker) (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), with rump pure white, and contrast between grey of upperparts and predominantly black tail also perhaps greater (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Generally browner than allopatric M. canorus, with cere and legs more orange; eyes dark red in both species (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Female averages larger than male by 5% in size and perhaps >30% in weight (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Juvenile brown with brown-speckled white rump, darker secondaries and paler primary flashes (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ); streaked on upper breast and barred below; irides whitish to yellowish white, cere and bill base greyish and legs pale yellow (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Juvenile M. metabates is generally darker brown, with more heavily barred rump, yellower irides and, in flight from below, less contrast between dark secondaries and pale primary bases (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

SE Ethiopia and Somalia S to NE Uganda and NE Tanzania.

Dry thorn woodland and savanna, usually inhabiting drier, more arid country than M. metabates particularly in areas of geographical overlap, namely S Ethiopia, SE Uganda, Kenya and N Tanzania (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Recorded from sea-level to 2000 m, although it is principally found below 1600 m (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

Generally sedentary but may move out of more arid areas during drought, and juveniles probably wander to some extent (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Makes regular migration N through Taru Desert, Kenya, in Jan–Mar, overflying residents; also absent from other areas of same country (Laikipia Plateau) after breeding.

Diet apparently very similiar to that of M. metabates. Mainly lizards, also snakes, birds up to size of small francolin or doves (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), rodents and some large beetles; rarely carrion. Hunts mainly from a prominent tree perch, swooping down for prey on the ground. Rarely walks or runs on ground or makes fast aerial chase after small birds.

Mainly vocalizes during early breeding season, most typically given (and recognized) is the loud, melodious chanting given either perched or in flight by one or both sexes, in series of up to 12 notes, repeated for long periods; considered to be more mellow and fluting than the corresponding vocalization in M. metabates, it has been transcribed “kleeu-kleeu-klu-klu-klu...” (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Also has a distinctly squeaking song “see-see-see-see...”, which is apparently not shared with M. metabates, while gives “chip-chip-chip” in diurnal flight, as well as at night, when also utters Buteo-like “ke-ah”; food-begging female gives rapid “ke-ke-ke-ke...” and in alarm both sexes utter quavering “ee-e-e-e-e-e-e-e”, both of which are perhaps similar to the corresponding vocalizations of M. metabates (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

Laying at end of dry season: Feb–Sept in NE Africa (Ethiopia and Somalia) (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ); Feb–Jun and Aug–Jan in NW Kenya (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), where double rainy season occurs, and species may breed biannually. Performs nocturnal communal aerial display, cruising in tight circles 20–60 m above ground while calling (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), on moonlit nights (between 20:00 and 21:00 hours) (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Both sexes build (over four weeks) (2 Brown, L. H., E. K. Urban, and K. Newman (1982). The Birds of Africa. Volume 1. Academic Press, London, UK and New York, USA. Close ) the small stick platform (40–60 cm wide and 15–25 cm deep) (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ) in canopy of densely foliaged tree, usually an Acacia or Euphorbia (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), lined with dry grass, dung and other debris, including old Red-billed Quelea (Quelea quelea) nests (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ); usually sited 3–8+ m above ground (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Appears to build new nest each year (2 Brown, L. H., E. K. Urban, and K. Newman (1982). The Birds of Africa. Volume 1. Academic Press, London, UK and New York, USA. Close ). Clutch 1–2 plain greenish-white (2 Brown, L. H., E. K. Urban, and K. Newman (1982). The Birds of Africa. Volume 1. Academic Press, London, UK and New York, USA. Close ) eggs, 49–57 mm × 39–42 mm, 52–57 g (2 Brown, L. H., E. K. Urban, and K. Newman (1982). The Birds of Africa. Volume 1. Academic Press, London, UK and New York, USA. Close ); incubation, commencing with first egg (2 Brown, L. H., E. K. Urban, and K. Newman (1982). The Birds of Africa. Volume 1. Academic Press, London, UK and New York, USA. Close ), 36–38 days, mainly by female (2 Brown, L. H., E. K. Urban, and K. Newman (1982). The Birds of Africa. Volume 1. Academic Press, London, UK and New York, USA. Close ); chick has grey down with long filaments on head and back; fledging 49–56 days; usually only single chick reared but no sibling aggression observed. May relay in first clutch is lost reasonably early in season (2 Brown, L. H., E. K. Urban, and K. Newman (1982). The Birds of Africa. Volume 1. Academic Press, London, UK and New York, USA. Close ).

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). CITES II. Widespread, conspicuous and often common in suitable habitat. Home range 1·2–2·1 km² in ideal habitat in Tsavo, Kenya, with densities of 50–60 pairs/100 km². Only vulnerable to cutting of trees, habitat destruction by elephants, and overgrazing of semi-arid habitat. Not known to be affected by pesticides.