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1. Nombre del ave
The English name of this bird is Pale Chanting Goshawk, and its scientific (Latin) name is Melierax canorus.

2. Aspecto
The Pale Chanting Goshawk, as suggested by its name, has a striking pale grey coloration that covers most of its body, complemented with distinctly darker wingtips. Its legs and eyes are a vibrant red, creating a stark contrast against its muted body color. This bird is recognized by the white rump visible during flight and its extended, fan-like tail capped with a wide, dark band. The beak is hooked, typical for birds of prey, and is solid black. There are no significant differences in the appearance between males and females.

3. Tamaño
The Pale Chanting Goshawk is a large bird of prey, with an average length between 55 to 65 cm (21.65 to 25.59 inches), and has a wingspan of approximately 110 to 135 cm (3.61 to 4.43 feet). The weight of these formidable hunters generally ranges between 620 to 1,200 grams.

4. Hábitat y distribución
This bird species is predominantly found across the southern regions of the African continent, notably in Namibia, South Africa, and Lesotho. This bird adapts well to savannahs, deserts, and open grasslands where it has a clear view of its surroundings.

5. Datos de interés
Firstly, Pale Chanting Goshawks have a unique relationship with meerkats; they follow troops of meerkats and consume any prey they leave behind. Secondly, their call, from which their name is derived, is uncannily human-like and it gets progressively louder and higher pitched as it continues, often culminating in a series of fast and high pitched notes. Lastly, they spend much of their time perched on treetops or poles, keenly watching the ground for prey.

6. Dieta
Pale Chanting Goshawks have a varied diet, depending on their habitat. Their primary diet includes small mammals, lizards, snakes, insects, and occasionally, other birds.

7. Comportamiento y sonidos
The bird’s call is described as a musical, repeated “kleeuu-kleeuu-kleeuu”. In the air, they’ll perform a spectacular aerial display during mating, featuring dives, climbs, and rolls. They are primarily solitary creatures, only pairing up during the mating season.

8. Estado de conservación
The Pale Chanting Goshawk is listed as ‘Least Concern’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

9. Vida útil
The lifespan of Pale Chanting Goshawks ranges from 10 to 12 years in the wild. Their lifespan in captivity varies but can be considerably longer.

10. Notas adicionales
The Pale Chanting Goshawk plays a significant role in controlling populations of small mammals and lizards in the ecosystems they inhabit. In terms of local names, the Afrikaans language refers to them as ‘Bleeksingvalk’. Though these birds are not typically found interacting with humans, they show no significant fear towards human presence, particularly when located in populated game reserves.