They would also fly around the low thorn trees and bushes to flush birds and then pursue them at speed.
The Dove fell into the only clump of grass around the water hole and the Sparrowhawk flew off. One such attack came from the right over the water, the dove turned straight toward us and the Sparrowhawk hit the Dove less than 3 meters from our safari vehicle. The Sparrowhawks were much more aggressive and tried to catch the Cape Turtle Doves when they came in for a drink. The Goshawks hunted more by ambush, by sitting on the ground behind a log and waiting for the smaller birds to fly overhead on their way to the waters edge, when they would jump up and try an pluck them from the air. With the exception of the Tawneys and the Pale Chanting Goshawks the Sparrow hawks, Red-necked falcon and Goshawks actively hunted the Cape Turtle Doves and smaller birds who come in to drink. When the Tawneys come within range the Ovambo Sparrowhawks or Red-neacked Falcons launch their attacks on the Tawneys, trying to force them from their territory. A pair of Ovambo Sparrowhawks, a pair of Gabar Goshawks, a single Red-necked Falcon, Pale Chanting Goshawks and regular overhead passes by some Tawney Eagles. Nevertheless, just witnessing this is a privilege and serves to build your own frame of reference on the behaviour of these birds and their attack techniques, thus preparing you for the next event.Īn Ovambo Sparrowhawk sits in a thorn tree from where it ambushes birds coming in to drink.Īt another water hole there were 5 species of birds of prey active on most days. The attack happened a mere 40 meters in front of us and straight towards us. We were fortunate to see 3 such attacks, two of which where successful but unfortunately away from us and one unsuccessful attack which we could only watch through the front window of the vehicle. While all this mayhem is erupting in front of you, to then try and pick up the attacking bird who’s arc of attack is out of the sun, is a real challenge and happens at such speed that getting an in-focus images is a real bonus :-).
The noise, dust and panic is something to experience.
When these birds are in the sights of Martial Eagle from high above and it dives to earth at incredible speed, absolute pandemonium breaks out on the ground as the Guinea Fowl take to the air to get to safety, the Egyptian Geese fly into the middle of the water hole, the Black-necked Grebes dive to get away and the Black-backed Jackals sprint from across the open bush to the anticipated point of impact.
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