Dark chanting goshawk, Melierax metabates, also known as the chanting goshawk, photographed at Serengeti National Park, northeastern Tanzania, Africa.
Image: Dan Logen, 20 January 2010 (a glimpse through binoculars).
Nikon D300, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender, ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/500 sec.
Question: This species closely resembles the bird I showed as yesterday's daily mystery bird, but it is actually a different species. What distinguishes these two species?
Response: This is a dark chanting goshawk, Melierax metabates. It is distinguished from the eastern (pale) chanting goshawk, Melierax poliopterus, by two features: its cere and tarsi (legs) are red or bright pink, and its undertail coverts (alas, not visible in this picture) are barred.
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