Polyboroides Explained

Polyboroides is a genus of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. This genus has two recognized species found in Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. The two species are allopatric and restricted to the Afrotropical realm. They are generally known as harrier-hawks.

Etymology

Polyboroides: Genus Polyborus Vieillot, 1816; -οιδης -oidēs "resembling".^[1]

Species

The genus Polyboroides has two recognized species:^[2]

thumb|right|150px|Adult African harrier-hawk hunting at a weaver colony in Etosha NP.

Note the double-jointed legs enabling it to hang downwards and yet reach upwards with its beak.

See also

• Harrier (bird)

Notes and References

1. Book: Jobling . J.A.. 2017. Key to Scientific Names in Ornithology. https://www.hbw.com/dictionary/definition/polyboroides . subscription . del Hoyo. J.. Elliott. A.. Sargatal. J.. Christie . D.A.. de Juana. E. . Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive . subscription . Barcelona. Lynx Edicions.
2. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%20Checklist%206.3.2%20December%202008.xls/view Clements, J. F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 6th Edition. Cornell University Press. Downloadable from Cornell Lab of Ornithology