Today the Bateleur is absent from about 80% of its former range and is classified as 'vulnerable' in the Red Data Book - Birds. In the lowveld wildlife reserves, where the Bateleur probably occurs at maximum density in an ideal habitat, it appears more numerous. Outside of protected areas, the Bateleur is extremely vulnerable to poisoned bait. The birds have been eradicated from virtually all South African farmland due to indiscriminate attempts to control jackal.
This bird is unusual in that it spends most of the day on the wing, soaring without effort at air speeds of up to between 35 and 50 mph (56 to 80 kph). It takes off as soon as the day becomes warm, and flies almost continuously until the cooler hours of the evening, typically covering over 200 air miles (320 kilometres) almost every day of its adult life. From time to time it does perch in trees - usually close to carrion, which it is not above trying to pirate from small to medium sized vultures (albeit not often with any success)! Bateleur is a French word - meaning tumbler or acrobat. This is probably derived from the bird's ability to execute 360 degree rolls during its nuptial display. Its scientific name Terathopius ecaudatus comes from the Greek and means (roughly) "marvellous face without a tail". The male has a striking red face this is the female. In flight, the Bateleur manoeuvres itself with a notable canting movement, swaying or banking from side to side in the manner of an aircraft, and reminiscent of a tightrope walker using his pole for balance. This leads to the commonly held belief that this is necessitated by its lack of a tail to assist steering, and linking the name Bateleur with tightrope walker, rather than tumbler. Most birds have a tail long enough to use as a rudder/elevator in flight, which can assist steering.
Again thanks for taking time to look and any comments
Hmm yes this does look similar but the beak is too long as is the tail.. I uncertain of the identification myself but had ruled out the Harris Hawk juveniles do have quite different markings so I am at a loss .. I also have another eagle I am uncertain of.. Yjanks anyway or if anyone else has a clue what iy may be
A beautiful shot, but I'm afraid have to question your identification. The female bateleur does have a yellow face, but a bateleur also has a bare face and a greyish wash to the shoulders. This bird has a feathered face and chestnut shoulders, which to my eye indicates a Harris Hawk. The beak is also smaller than expected of an eagle and is grey to black after the cere, whereas a bateleur would have a red or yellow beak turning black at the tip.
I mean no disrespect by this because this is a far better photograph than I could produce, but I wanted to point out the possible error in identification. Attached is a snapshot taken at a falconry show of a known Harris Hawk, for comparison.
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{K:150877} 11/17/2004
