Африканский лунёвый ястреб/African harrier-hawk facts harrier hawk gymnogene

The African harrier-hawk, harrier hawk or gymnogene (Polyboroides typus) is a bird of prey. It breeds in most of Africa south of the Sahara. It 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, usually red or yellow. An unusual trait of this species is the double-jointed knees it possesses, which enable it to reach into otherwise inaccessible holes and cracks for prey. Nests are circular and often placed in the main fork of the tree and are below the canopy. Nests are made of sticks and are lined with leaves from trees neighbouring the nest. The clutch is one to three eggs. It is omnivorous, eating the fruit of the oil palm as well as hunting small vertebrates. Its ability to climb, using wings as well as feet, and its long double-jointed legs, enable thi