Ethiopian Birds & Bird photography

The African Goshawk (subspecies unduliventer), endemic to the Ethiopian highlands, is a highly maneuverable bird of prey. The female is distinctly larger than the male, cryptically colored, and highly adapted for hunting in dense woodlands and riverine forests.Physical CharacteristicsSize & Weight: Females weigh roughly 260 - 510 g with wingspans measuring 540 - 700 mm. Males are significantly smaller (145 - 340 g).Plumage: The upperparts are a dark slate-gray, while the underparts feature a cryptically barred or undulating pattern (which gives the unduliventer subspecies its name).Eyes & Wings: Adults possess striking red to orange-tinged eyes, with short, broad wings and long tails for darting through trees.Habitat and BehaviorLocation: They are frequently sighted in the woodlands and forests of Ethiopia, such as the areas around Entoto.Diet: As apex woodland raptors, females prey on small birds, reptiles, and small mammals, frequently bringing food back to nests. Photo by :HenuPhotography June 14 2026