Help with bird id

[Gail A]

Hi there,
Attached please find a pic of a bird sighted at Lake Panic at the KNP. We are having a dispute as to the ID. Please can someone help! Many thanks and happy snapping, g

[Tom]

Would like to see a bit more of the bird. With so many immature raptors around it would help if the chest & legs were visisble. My 1st thought was of a falcon, but the masks are not visible then I thought it must be one of the .... Buzzards, but then I became wise & I know we've got some seriously experienced twitchers that will get it, I'm not going to risk my reputation

[mwright15]

Hi, I think this is the same bird, also taken at Lake Panic, after much debate we agreed it was a immature Lanner falcon, probably just to end the argument... hopefully this pic helps the id.

[j-ms]

My first take is that this is an Accipter and not a Falcon. The long bare legs, wings that are MUCH shorter than the tail and lack of moustache discount Lanner Falcon and I would suggest that this is a juvenile African Goshawk (Accipter tachiro).

[N.M.]

My first take is that this is an Accipter and not a Falcon. The long bare legs, wings that are MUCH shorter than the tail and lack of moustache discount Lanner Falcon and I would suggest that this is a juvenile African Goshawk (Accipter tachiro).

Agreed I'd also venture it's a female (larger than males - so for size comparison, I'm presuming she's eating an adult francolin?).
Generally, falcons (especially Lanners, Peregrines etc.) are more active around their cliff-side habitats.
Goshawks, Sparrow-hawks, some eagles e.g. Crowned Eagle, Harpy etc. are generally 'forest' dwellers - hence the longer tail, and rounded wings (agility amongst trees).

[Tom]

See I said another image & we'll get it...On a serious note I fully agree with the ID above!

[Gail A]

Thank you all for your responses! Yes it certainly looks like the same bird. Little heart shaped patterns on the lower chest area. We originally thought Steppe Buzzard, but guess were off the mark!

[Peter Betts]

This is an African Goshawk...very distinctive

[Gail A]

Thank you all!

[cooper5022]

Agree. I have just gone through the Complete Photographic Field Guide by Sinclair and Peter Ryan and would have to say this looks like a juvenile African Goshawk. Page 109.