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GYMNOGENE (harrier hawk)


GYMNOGENE (harrier hawk)
Photo Information
Copyright: Andrea Piazza (elefantino) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1154 W: 117 N: 2211] (13859)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-08-22
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon F100, Nikkor 300mm AF-S f/4, Fuji Velvia 50
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-07-13 3:37
Viewed: 2168
Points: 10
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Harrier Hawk or
African Harrier Hawk or
Gymnogene
(Polyboroides typus)

Conservation status: Least concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Polyboroides
Species: P. typus
Binomial name
Polyboroides typus
Smith, 1829

It is a bird of prey. It is about 60-66cm in length, and is related to the harriers. It breeds in most of Africa south of the Sahara.

Its habitat is woodland preferably with palm trees and often near water. It builds a stick nest in the fork of a tree or the crown of a palm tree. The clutch is one to three eggs.

The Harrier Hawk is a medium-sized raptor. The upperparts, head and breast are pale grey. The belly is white with fine dark barring. The broad wings are pale grey with a black trailing edge fringed with a narrow white line. The tail is black with a single broad white band. There is a bare facial patch of variable colour. Sexes are similar, but young birds have pale brown instead grey, and dark brown replacing black.

The Harrier Hawk is omnivorous, eating the fruit of the Oil Palm as well as hunting vertebrates. Its ability to climb, using wings as well as feet, and its long double-jointed legs, enable this bird to raid the hole nests of barbets and woodhoopoes for fledglings. The call is a whistled sueee-sueee-sueee.

PHOTO TAKEN DURING A BOAT RIDE
VELVIA 50 SCANSION
soccer, Silke, mario-roberto, MattiasR, giacomosg, rozaanbeukes, olontur has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Anton Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 50 W: 11 N: 161] (589)
  • [2006-07-13 4:01]

Andrea,

Well done with this picture of a beautiful bird. I have often seen them in the bush but was never able to capture one on camera. It is sharp and well exposed. TFS.
Regards
Anton

Andrea,

It is always great to capture one of these as there are not too many opportunities that come ones way to do so. The in-flight shot is very well done, especially when you consider that it was taken from a boat!

The composition, POV and Bg are great. TFS,
Sheriff

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 753 W: 108 N: 1729] (5398)
  • [2006-07-13 8:53]

This is a very fine capture indeed -- amazing clarity for all that distance and under those circumstances.
Thank you very much for sharing
Silke

scatto interessante

A very nice capture Andrea. Im really impressed. I havent learned to take photos of birds in flight, but i hope i will learn sometimes. Any tips? Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful photos.

Mattias

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