Gabar Goshawk

Micronisus gabar

Other Pics: Gabar Goshawk

Other Names

Melierax gabar     Autour gabar   Gabarhabicht   Gavilán Gabar   Gabarhök   Gabarhavik   Astore Gabar

World: Afrotropical species widespread S of 16°N although mostly absent from western equatorial lowland forests.

Kenya: Widespread and locally common across most of the country in dense bush and wooded habitats. Mostly occurs in lower rainfall areas.

This is a small goshawk with 2 very distinctive colour forms. Grey adults have grey upperparts with red cere and legs and a broad white band on the upper tail coverts. The dark morph also has a red cere and legs but is predominantly black with the exception of grey barring on the tail.

The dark morph is relatively common and for a number of years a pair consisting of a grey female and dark morph male have nested at Lake Baringo Club. To date in each of the years they have nested there they have raised 2 chicks, one pale and one dark!

And if you're wondering about the name "Gabar", it's apparently of Hottentot origin and was "invented by French naturalist François le Vaillant.