Introduction: The southern pale chanting goshawk (Melierax canorus), also known as the pale chanting goshawk, can be found in Karoo shrubland and Kalahari woodland. Acacia thornveld and scrub, mopane woodland and the tree-lined watercourses of the Namib Desert offer alternatives. This variety of habitats allows them the combination of open ground to search for prey and hunting perches, where they spend 75% of their time. Canorus is Latin for 'to sing', a reference to their melodious chanting, which begins at first light.

Distribution: Throughout Namibia less for most of the Caprivi. Can be seen in Windhoek, Namib Desert, Etosha National Park, Kalahari Desert, Orange River, Fish River Canyon, Kaokoland and Damaraland.

Diet: Hunts from perches, poles and fence-posts for mainly rodents such as Brant's whistling rat, striped mouse, hares, elephant shrews and shrews. Avian prey includes guineafowl, francolin, plovers, sandgrouse, larks, swallows, flycatchers, weavers and canaries. Tortoise hatchlings, Karoo sand snakes and lizards are also taken as are termites, grasshoppers, bees, ants and wasps.

Description: Grey head and upper parts. Often confused with the smaller dark chanting goshawk.

Breeding: A stick nest is lined with dung where females lay 1 or 2 eggs between July and December.

Size: 60cm. Weight: 900g. Wingspan: 1.1m.

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