African Harrier-Hawk

Afrikaans name: Kaalwangvalk

African Harrier Hawk

Photo © Steven Herbert

Polyboroides typus

The African Harrier-Hawk, as it is now called, is more commonly called the Gymnogene. Adult birds have grey plumage while juveniles are brown.

This raptor is found in woodland as well as suburban areas.

The African Harrier-Hawk spends its days clambering around in trees where it investigates holes looking for birds and chicks in nests. The legs of the African Harrier-Hawk are double-jointed which gives it the ability to feel round in all directions inside a hole.

Besides stealing birds from nests it will catch small mammals and it also eats the fruit of the Oil Palm.

The African Harrier-Hawk lays up to 3 eggs.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	171	Gymnogenys typicus typicus
2nd	171	Polyboroides typus
3rd	171	Polyboroides typus
4th	171	Polyboroides typus
5th	169	Polyboroides typus
6th	169	Polyboroides typus
7th	370	Polyboroides typus

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	171	South African Harrier Hawk
2nd	171	Banded Harrier-Hawk
3rd	171	Gymnogene
4th	171	Gymnogene
5th	169	Gymnogene
6th	169	Gymnogene
7th	370	African Harrier-Hawk

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	171	Groot-blou-hawik
2nd	171	Gymnogene
3rd	171	Gymnogene
4th	171	Gymnogene
5th	169	Kaalwangvalk
6th	169	Kaalwangvalk
7th	370	Kaalwangvalk

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 56

The Status & Conservation of Birds of Prey in the Transvaal - Author: W. Tarboton and D. Allan - Published: 1984 - Page: 91

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 68

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 156

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 122

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 114

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 102

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 152

Sasol Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands - Author: Alan and Meg Kemp - Published: 1998 - Page: 128

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 148

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 120

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 158

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 89

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 114

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 184

Know your Birds of Prey - Author: - Published: 0 - Page: 31

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 184

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 56

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 72

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 138

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 52

Eagles, Hawks & Falcons of the World - Author: Leslie Brown and Dean Amadon - Published: 1989 - Page: 372

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 14

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 60

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 45

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 63

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 86

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 22

Birds of Prey of the World - Author: Friedhelm Weick - Published: 1980 - Page: 84

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 87

Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1985 - Page: 201

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 68

An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Published: 1974 - Page: 110

An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Published: 1974 - Page: 40

African Birds of Prey - Author: Leslie Brown - Published: 1970 - Page: 137

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 136

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 136

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 84

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List of South African Birds