The Gymnogene

The Gymnogene, also known as the African Harrier-Hawk (Afr. Kaalwangvalk), is an occasional visitor to the beautiful indigenous trees and abundant birdlife of our retirement village.

The Gymnogene is a medium-sized raptor. The upperparts, head and breast are pale grey. The belly is white with fine dark barring. The broad wings are pale grey with a black trailing edge fringed with a narrow white line. The tail is black with a single broad white band.

The Gymnogene

There is a bare facial patch of variable colour, usually red or yellow. Genders are similar, but young birds have pale brown instead of grey, and dark brown replacing black. 

The call is a whistled sueee-sueee-sueee, faintly reminiscent of a seagull.

The Gymnogene is omnivorous, eating the fruit of the Oil Palm as well as hunting small vertebrates. Its ability to climb, using wings as well as feet, and its long double-jointed legs, enable this bird to raid weaver bird nests and the nests of cavity-nesters such as barbets for fledglings. 

Hunting at a weaver bird nest

It has also been known to prey on introduced species such as pigeons and squirrels.

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