Bird of the week
Bateleur

The strikingly beautiful Bateleur is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, but its numbers are declining outside game reserves. The distinctive wing shape of this raptor allows it to be easily identified when it is soaring high on thermals, at which time subtle plumage differences between males and females can also be distinguished. Bateleurs usually pair for life.

This photograph was taken at a waterhole in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which is considered one of the best raptor-viewing sites in southern Africa.

Ryan Ebedes
www.ebedes.co.za