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The distinct white tail bar would suggest that it is an African Harrier Hawk. (Gymnogene).

As a species they seem to be adapting very well to living in suburbia. There are several pairs in Joburg, and quite a few in Durban and Maritzburg.

Thanks adrianp

I see that it's distribution includes us. Also about a year ago there was 'one' next door hanging upside down raiding a nest under the eves of a roof. (behaviour per my book) I have pointed out the distinctive head to my SO to look out for next time. It is becoming a regular visitor so hope it comes back...(to feed???) SO feeds hundreds of wild birds/garden birds per day....never mind the caged birds and chickens.

Hi RichardJ.
They also like to prey on roosting fruit bats. Seen then hunt them in the palm trees in town quite often.
Nice bird to have in your garden

I had also thought of a Gymnogene... but in a garden
what a nice surprise

The behaviour you describe RichardJ is classic gymnogene (AHH).

I have seen a few in the Western Cape, including Paarl.

The only other posibility, which yours is not, is pale chanting goshawk.

Nice garden bird!

Can you help me with the id of this raptor?? Picture had been taken after a heavy rainshower in the Nossob area in February 2010

Thanks for you help here

Hi Pumbaa.
It looks like a juvenile Steppe Buzzard to me.
The juvenile has a yellow eye. The black tips of the primaries are also visible.
Hope this helps.

The big eyes and head shape, have got me thinking along the lines of one of the snake eagles, possible a juvenile black chested?

I was thinking the same until I saw the yellow cere. Now I am not so sure.

Everything else (Yellow iris, extended bare tarsi and seemingly big round head) pointed to Snake-eagle to me.

Why not consider Juv. Pale Chanting or Gabar goshawk?

They are both very common in the KTP and that will explain the pale eye, cere colour, the slim build and barred secondaries...unfortunately we can't tell size, so difficult to choose one but in my experience the PCGH has normally more orange bare parts even when young birds

I was thinking juvie pale chanting goshawk or steppe buzzard... it just doesn't have the GISS of a snake eagle (in my opinion).

If I had to vote, I'd go with juvenile steppe buzzard -- the colouring, what I can see of the underwing pattern, the GISS, the pale eye, yellow cere etc. (But after the almost-disaster with the juvenile puffback , I think I'd better keep my mouth shut on juvenile birds )

Lizet

I think you are a genius

I took a deep long look into the birds eyes, and remembered the eye colour to be identical to that of a photo I took of a JPCG in central Kalahari years ago. The wet feathers and wings out to dry posture really had me confused. looking at the legs and other info, it all comes together.



Dabchick we forgive you for the puffback

Agree on juvenile Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk

I agree with Dabchick and still thing it is a juvenile Steppe Buzzard.
The juvenile Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk has got heavily barred underwings, whereas the bird in picture has hardly any, except for the black primaries as well as the dark marked median coverts.
The legs of the SPCG is also more orangy and not as yellow as the bird in the picture.

Was also considering both, but the yellowish(well at least from what my eyes tell me) bare parts doesn't fit them either

Dabchick, I can't really see any definite GISS from this photo. I can't even make out whether the tail is longer than the wings or not.

Sometimes it is far more difficult to id a bird from a photo. I am afraid that this is one of those instances.

Tip: Try and get as many photos of a bird from different angles as possible. Sometimes one photo alone just doesn't give enough clues.