Ovambo sparrowhawk
Ovambo sparrowhawk | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Accipitriformes |
Family: | Accipitridae |
Genus: | Accipiter |
Species: | A. ovampensis
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Binomial name | |
Accipiter ovampensis Gurney, JH Sr , 1875 | |
Synonyms | |
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The Ovambo or Ovampo sparrowhawk, also known as Hilgert's sparrowhawk, (Accipiter ovampensis) is a species of sub-Saharan African bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It takes its name from the Ovamboland in northern Namibia.
Description
The Ovambo sparrowhawk is a small
Distribution and movements
It occurs in sub-Saharan Africa and breeds mostly south of the equator. It is a localised and uncommon breeder in east Africa north as far as
Habitat
The Ovambo sparrowhawk generally favours the edges of drier forest, woodland and exotic plantations, moving into surrounding savanna and tall woodland with patches of open ground, such as riverine and broad-leaved woodland. In southern Africa its habitat is usually dominated by miombo (Brachystegia spp), Mahobohobo (Uapaca kirkiana) or Zambezi teak (Baikiaea plurijuga).[5]
Habits
The Ovambo sparrowhawk is almost exclusively a hunter of birds mostly up to 60 g (2.1 oz) in weight but females will attack larger birds such as
The Ovambo sparrowhawk is territorial and the female does most of the nest-building, creating a platform of sticks lined with bark chips and occasionally green leaves. It is typically placed in the canopy of a tree, either a native tree or an alien tree such as eucalyptus. The eggs are laid in August to November, peaking in August and September and the clutch is between one and five eggs. The female incubates the eggs, while the male brings her food, usually 2-3 times a day. The male continues to be the sole provider of food for both the female and the chicks for 18 days after hatching, after which the female starts to hunt too. The young fledge after 33–39 days and become fully independent about a month after that.[5]
Taxonomy
The Ovambo sparrowhawk is apparently closely related to the Madagascar sparrowhawk Accipiter madagascarensis and phylogenetic analysis supports these two species forming a well defined clade.[4]
References
- . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ISBN 978-1-4729-0574-1.
- ^ ISBN 1-85974-100-2.
- ^ a b c "Ovambo Sparrowhawk (Accipiter ovampensis)". Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- ^ a b c "Accipiter ovampensis (Ovambo sparrowhawk)". Biodiversity Explorer. Iziko Museums of South Africa. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
External links
- Ovambo Sparrowhawk - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds