africa

[Gwaihir]

hi people

i've just come from africa and all i saw was loads of bop flying above nairobi. can any one tell me what they are?

there was oceans of em'!

[buzzbee]

Thats not extremely helpfull info!:confused:

[FalconBirder]

Hi Gwaihir

The raptors you saw in and around Nairobi were almost certainly Yellow-billed Kites (Milvus aegyptius).

They used to be considered a sub-species of the Black Kite (Milvus migrans) but recent DNA evidence points to the two african races being classified together as a species in their own right.

Basically, they are medium to large (ie. Buzzard-sized) raptors, with generally dark brown plumage and with yellow bare parts (ie. legs, feet and cere - base of the bill).

They commonly feed on road kills, scavenge at rubbish tips and swoop down to grab virtually anything edible from the streets.

They are quite vocal too - so you may have heard their rather weak and high pitched trilling calls.

Hope this helps.

Galina

[Venividevenatio]

Hi Gwaihir

The raptors you saw in and around Nairobi were almost certainly Yellow-billed Kites (Milvus aegyptius).

They used to be considered a sub-species of the Black Kite (Milvus migrans) but recent DNA evidence points to the two african races being classified together as a species in their own right.

Basically, they are medium to large (ie. Buzzard-sized) raptors, with generally dark brown plumage and with yellow bare parts (ie. legs, feet and cere - base of the bill).

They commonly feed on road kills, scavenge at rubbish tips and swoop down to grab virtually anything edible from the streets.

They are quite vocal too - so you may have heard their rather weak and high pitched trilling calls.

Hope this helps.

Galina

I was at school in Nairibi. These were commonly known as ****e Hawks! You had to watch out for your sarnies at break time! How I miss seeing them now, though.