Lizard Buzzard

Kaupifalco monogrammicus

Other Names

    Autour unibande   Sperberbussard   Busardo Gavilán   Ödlevråk   Hagedisbuizerd   Poiana lacertiera

World: Africa - in the west widely distributed between 15°N and 15°S, in the east occurs further S to around 30°S. Absent from much of Ethiopia and the very arid regions of N Kenya ans Somalia.

Kenya: Higher rainfall areas where there is suitably dense woodland or savanna. Common along the coast.

Perches conspicuously, for long periods, on posts, exposed branches or wires from which it makes hard, fast dives to the ground to take its prey. This consists primarily of grasshoppers and other large insects, but also rodents, reptiles, amphibians and occasionally small birds. It is also known to take carrion. When flying to a new perch it generally drops close to the ground and proceeds in an undulating pattern caused by a series of quick wingbeats. The black line through the white throat makes it a very easy species to identify.