Bateleur
Terathopius ecaudatus
Scavenging raptor feeding on carrion in African savannas and valleys.
| Scientific name | Terathopius ecaudatus |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Mkorogo |
| Conservation status | Endangered |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Size | Male: body length approximately 55-70 cm, wingspan about 1.8 m, weight around 1.2-2.0 kg; female: slightly larger, weight about 1.5-2.5 kg |
How to identify
Head featherless, bright red; wings black with white markings; tail extremely short, almost invisible; wings form a V-shape in flight; legs and beak bright red
Habitat
Open woodland savanna, open grasslands, shrublands, and near river valleys
Diet
Primarily scavenger, also preys on small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects
When it is active
Diurnal, active during the day, especially in the morning and afternoon
Where it lives
Widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly found in Kenya, Tanzania (including Masai Mara), Botswana, South Africa, and others
How to spot it
Look for them at dawn or dusk in open grasslands or open woodland savanna, observe the V-shaped wings in flight and the bright red exposed parts
Photography tips
Use a telephoto lens to capture flight poses, pay attention to light angles to highlight the bright red head and legs
Threats
Habitat loss, pesticide pollution, reduction in food resources, and human persecution
Similar species
Similar to the common vulture (genus Gyps), but vultures are larger, have longer tails, and more feathering on the head
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