From Opus

Lophaetus occipitalis

Photo by safariranger
Magoebaskloof, South Africa

[edit] Identification

Dark brown or black, white patches at the joint of the wing both above and below, white under-wing coverts spotted with black, a white base to the tail. Golden to reddish brown eyes, the cere and feet yellow. Immatures can be distinguished from the adult by the whiter tips of the neck feathers, the less prominent crest, and a generally more mottled appearance. The eyes are dark olive-brown, the feet and cere pale ochre-yellow.

[edit] Distribution

Sub-Saharan Africa.

[edit] Taxonomy

Monotypic.

[edit] Habitat

Woodland, forest edge and plantations.

[edit] Behaviour

The diet includes lizards, small snakes, and small mammals.

Male and female build the nest in a tree, about two feet across by a foot deep - made of small sticks, and with a deep central cup about one foot across, lined with green leaves. 1-2 white eggs, marked brown, grey, lilac, are laid and are incubated by the female.

[edit] References

Lepage D. 2008. Avibase. Search for "Lophaetus occipitalis" downloaded 30 April 2008.

[edit] External Links