Pale Chanting Goshawk – A Klein Karoo Star
Picture this: the Klein Karoo in South Africa’s Western Cape, where summer heat can crank up to a scorching 42°C! Just last week, I was guiding thrilled clients from Europe between Oudtshoorn and Uniondale, soaking in the rugged beauty of this region. This time, I outsmarted the midday sizzle by hitting the trails at dawn!
Our morning was an absolute birding bonanza, bursting with Klein Karoo stars like larks, chats, and jaw-dropping raptors. The real showstopper? The Pale Chanting Goshawk, a local legend that’s as photogenic as it gets. I was over the moon snapping close-up shots, especially of one bird rocking a dark, transitional plumage, youthful feathers that’ll lighten as it matures. Talk about a stunner!
These beauties are hard to miss, with their vibrant red bill base fading to sleek grey tips, plus matching red cere and legs. You’ll spot them perched like royalty on roadside fence posts, eyeing their next meal. From nimble rodents to insects, Cape hares, geckos, and even birds like francolins, guineafowl, sandgrouse, or pigeon. No prey is too small for their menu!
Birding in the Klein Karoo is an unforgettable thrill, and it’s even better with a pro guide by your side. Ready for your next epic adventure? Book your Garden Route and Klein Karoo birding trip with BIRDWATCHER (Ben Fouche) at birdwatcher.co.za
Let’s chase those wings together!
