The Terathopius ecaudatus (scientific name) or bateleur is endemic to the open savannah of Sub-Saharan Africa and also South-West Arabia. 22-28 inches in length, this bird is extremely colourful with mainly black plumage, but also a chestnut-coloured mantle and tail, grey plumage on the shoulders and tawny-coloured wing coverts. The facial skin, beak and legs are all red in colour. While gliding is rocks from side to side making it look like it is trying to regain balance, hence the name Bateleur, which means ‘street performer’ in French. Meat eaters, their diet consists of antelope, birds, lizards, carrion, snakes, and mice. A clutch of the bateleur has 1 egg incubated for 43 days. Its IUCN listing is NEAR THREATENED.
Bateleur
