The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk
Afrikaans name: Bleeksingvalk
Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk
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Melierax canorus
The Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk is found over most of South Africa excluding the eastern region and the extreme south-west.
It is quite common in the western half of South Africa. It prefers drier areas with some trees and open areas that provide ideal hunting grounds.
The 'Chanting' part of their common name comes from the musical call of the male during the breeding season.
They feed on smaller mammals up to the size of a rabbit and will take most birds. Insects, lizards, frogs and baby tortoises are also on its menu.
Male Southern Pale Chanting Goshawks are fiercely territorial and will defend their territories against intrusion by other males. Some males, however, recruit another male as an assistant who helps with activities related to breeding and may even, on rare occasions, mate with the female.
The nest is built by the pair, perhaps with an assistant male, in a suitable tree or structure such as a pylon. Either one or two eggs are laid and are attended to by both parents. Youngsters stay in the parents territories for approximately a year.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 165 | Melierax musicus |
| 2nd | 165 | Melierax musicus |
| 3rd | 165 | Melierax canorus |
| 4th | 165 | Melierax canorus |
| 5th | 162 | Melierax canorus |
| 6th | 162 | Melierax canorus |
| 7th | 373 | Melierax canorus |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 165 | Cape Chanting Goshawk |
| 2nd | 165 | Chanting Goshawk |
| 3rd | 165 | Chanting Goshawk |
| 4th | 165 | Chanting Goshawk |
| 5th | 162 | Pale Chanting Goshawk |
| 6th | 162 | Pale Chanting Goshawk |
| 7th | 373 | Pale Chanting Goshawk |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 165 | Groot-witvalk |
| 2nd | 165 | Groot Witvalk |
| 3rd | 165 | Groot Witvalk |
| 4th | 165 | Groot Witvalk |
| 5th | 162 | Bleeksingvalk |
| 6th | 162 | Bleeksingvalk |
| 7th | 373 | Bleeksingvalk |
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 56The Status & Conservation of Birds of Prey in the Transvaal - Author: W. Tarboton and D. Allan - Published: 1984 - Page: 85
The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 11
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 65
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 155
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 85
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 108
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 116
Sasol Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands - Author: Alan and Meg Kemp - Published: 1998 - Page: 150
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 146
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 142
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 117
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 109
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 152
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 87
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 178
Know your Birds of Prey - Author: - Published: 0 - Page: 30
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 178
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 84
Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 142
Eagles, Hawks & Falcons of the World - Author: Leslie Brown and Dean Amadon - Published: 1989 - Page: 410
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 13
Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 103
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 58
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 44
Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1985 - Page: 183
Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 60
Birds of Prey of the World - Author: Friedhelm Weick - Published: 1980 - Page: 90
An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Published: 1974 - Page: 116
An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Published: 1974 - Page: 62
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 134
African Birds of Prey - Author: Leslie Brown - Published: 1970 - Page: 88
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 134
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 79
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