jackal buzzard
Birds of Namibia
Introduction: Jackal buzzards (Buteo rufofuscus) inhabit hilly and mountainous regions associated with grassland, semi-desert and open woodland. They are most comfortable singly or in pairs as opposed to small groups and often perch on prominent poles and rocks.
Distribution: Southern Namib Desert, Windhoek, Fish River Canyon.
Diet: Hunts in flight or from favoured perch for roadkills and carcasses. Eats mainly mammals, birds and reptiles such as golden moles, greater cane rat, hares, yellow mongoose and young rock hyrax. Avian prey includes francolins, pigeons, doves, marsh owl and black-shouldered kite. Reptiles include lizards, chameleons and snakes. Also eats frogs, grasshoppers, beetles, large spider and caterpillars.
Description: Rufofuscus is Latin for 'dark or dusky red' referring to the tail colourings.
Breeding: Nests are a branch cup lined with leaves, grass and lichen. Females lay usually 2 eggs between June and October incubated for 40 days.
Size: 50cm. Weight: 1kg. Wingspan: 1.3m.
Dabis Guest Farm
A working farm in southern Namibia. Offers an insight into sheep farming is this arid region
Duwisib Castle Camping
The completely off his rocker 'Baron' von Wolf built this castle in the middle of nowhere. Rumours abound about this gun toting, cross dressing loon - the campsite is not as interesting!
Helmeringhausen Hotel
The settlement of Helmeringhausen consists of little more than a hotel, a petrol station and an agricultural museum. Luckily the hotel is a good one, with friendly owners.
Namtib Guest Farm
Situated in the Tiras mountains, an owner run guest farm that offers a warm welcome and even better scenery
Sinclair Guest Farm
A small reasonably priced guest farm - geologists are sure to enjoy the abandoned copper mine