How to identify the African Harrier-Hawk

To correctly identify the African Harrier-Hawk (Polyboroides typus), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

60-66 cm

Wingspan

118-150 cm

Weight

600-950 g (males), 750-1000 g (females)

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Adults have a grey head, neck, and breast, contrasting with black flight feathers and a black-barred white belly and undertail coverts. The tail is black with a single broad white band. The underwing coverts are grey, and the flight feathers are black with fine white barring on the primaries. Juveniles are brown overall, with a streaked breast and belly, and a brown-barred tail. Their bare facial skin is duller, often greyish-yellow.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Strong, hooked beak, dark grey to black with a yellow cere.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Dark brown.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Bright yellow, with unique double-jointed tarsi that allow for extreme flexibility.

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   The most distinctive feature is the bare facial skin, which is yellow in non-breeding adults and turns bright red during the breeding season. The double-jointed tarsi are also unique among raptors, allowing it to bend its legs forward and backward at the 'knee' (intertarsal joint) to reach into tight spaces.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles are entirely brown, with a streaked breast and belly, and a brown-barred tail. The bare facial skin is duller, often greyish-yellow, and gradually changes to adult coloration over 2-3 years.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   The bare facial skin changes color seasonally, from yellow in non-breeding adults to bright red during the breeding season, indicating reproductive readiness.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Females are generally larger and heavier than males, but plumage is identical.

Key field marks

• Plumage. Look for the distinctive grey head, neck, and breast, contrasting with black flight feathers and a black-barred white belly. The black tail with a single broad white band is also a key feature.
• Facial Patch. The bare facial skin, yellow in non-breeding adults and bright red in breeding individuals, is a unique and highly visible identification mark.
• Legs and Feet. Observe its foraging behavior. If you see a raptor probing into crevices or hanging upside down with highly flexible yellow legs, it's almost certainly an African Harrier-Hawk.
• Flight Style. Note its slow, deliberate flight with deep wing beats, often soaring with wings in a slight dihedral. It can also be seen performing agile maneuvers around trees.
• Vocalization. Listen for its characteristic mournful 'wheee-oh' call, especially during the breeding season.

Explore the African Harrier-Hawk