No, African hawk eagles do not primarily live in deserts. These majestic birds of prey are found in well-wooded countryside, tropical broadleaf woodland, and woodland edge within the savanna, thornbush areas, riparian zones, and lower density woodlands across sub-Saharan Africa.
Habitat Preferences of African Hawk Eagles
African hawk eagles tend to prefer fairly dry areas, but they avoid evergreen forests and mountainous regions. They have been known to nest on cliff faces in Kenya, but this is a rare occurrence. Their preferred habitats are characterized by the following features:
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Well-Wooded Countryside: African hawk eagles thrive in areas with a mix of trees, shrubs, and open spaces, which provide ample hunting opportunities and nesting sites.
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Tropical Broadleaf Woodland: These birds are often found in lush, tropical woodlands with a diverse array of tree species and a well-developed understory.
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Woodland Edge within Savanna: The transition zones between woodlands and savannas offer a rich and varied habitat for African hawk eagles, where they can take advantage of both forested and open areas.
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Thornbush Areas (Veld): In parts of their range, these eagles inhabit the thorny, scrubby vegetation known as the veld, which is common in southern Africa.
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Riparian Zones: The areas along rivers and streams, with their abundant water sources and diverse prey, are also favored by African hawk eagles.
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Lower Density Woodlands: While they avoid dense, evergreen forests, these eagles thrive in more open, lower-density woodland habitats.
Altitudinal Range
Image source: African Hawk-Eagle by Bernard DUPONT
African hawk eagles have been documented from sea level up to around 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) in elevation, but they mainly occur below 1,500 meters (4,900 feet). They tend to avoid highly rainy areas as well as highly arid localities, preferring regions with moderate rainfall.
Predatory Relationships
African hawk eagles exist in a highly competitive environment for birds of prey, and they are often required to share their prey with both smaller and larger raptorial birds. They have been known to attack larger eagles, possibly for competitive or mobbing purposes. However, predation on other birds of prey is rarely documented. The African hawk-eagle has been known to hunt down barn owls and black-winged kites.
Geographic Distribution
The African hawk eagle is a bird of sub-Saharan Africa, breeding in tropical Sub-Saharan Africa and found across much of the continent, including:
- Southern Ethiopia
- Southern Chad
- Southern Sudan
- West Somalia
- The central and southern portions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Uganda
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Angola
- Zambia
- Mozambique
- Malawi
- Zimbabwe
- North-central Namibia
- Northern and eastern Botswana
- Northeastern South Africa, north of the Orange River
They tend to avoid highly rainy areas and highly arid localities, preferring moderate rainfall regions.
Conclusion
In summary, African hawk eagles are not found in desert environments, but rather in a variety of well-wooded, moderately dry habitats across sub-Saharan Africa. These impressive birds of prey thrive in a range of woodland, savanna, and riparian ecosystems, but they steer clear of the harsh, arid conditions of true desert landscapes.
