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cape birding route > birding spots > cape peninsula > peninsula raptors
Peninsula Raptors:

The forested slopes and rocky cliffs of the Cape Peninsula are prime raptor-watching areas. A number of Black Eagle pairs still nest on the mountains, and their distinctive silhouette can be seen gracing the skies anywhere along the Peninsula’s rugged spine (pp.19, 21). Peregrine Falcon (see picture below and pp.21, 23) is unusually common here, sharing the skies with other cliff-nesting species including Lanner Falcon, Rock Kestrel and Jackal Buzzard. The two falcons commonly hunt in suburbia, where a flurry of scattering doves often betrays their presence.

The plantations and indigenous forests are the haunt of the agile Red-breasted Sparrowhawk and African Goshawk, both of which have adapted well to wooded suburbia. Although they are both common, the latter is more often seen due to its conspicuously noisy early-morning display flight. Ideally, familiarize yourself with the calls of both these species, and scan the skies often, especially in the early morning and evening (see pp 17 and 20). Black Sparrowhawk is a recent arrival on the Peninsula and is still relatively scarce. See p.20 for discussion on Steppe, Forest and Honey Buzzards.

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