They also occasionally feed on a range of birds including Swifts, Martins, Doves, Starlings, Canaries, Bishops and Waxbills
We made a special detour to find a well known Bat Hawk nest site when we were birding in the Magoebeskloof area. It was well worth the effort. They are an Uncommon to rare resident and are classified as Endangered These are remarkable crepuscular, bat-eating raptors.They visit bat roost sites at dusk and catch emerging bats in flight with their talons, transfer them to their bills and then swallow them whole. They also occasionally feed on a range of birds including Swifts, Martins, Doves, Starlings, Canaries, Bishops and Waxbills This is the New Agatha nest site, and it has a bit of a story to it. Bat Hawks were first noticed here by Dave Steyn in 1967. Over the next few years Archie van Reenen and Peter Williams noticed the nest was never completed. Even a light breeze would blow the nest down. A plan was hatched and Frank, Archie van Reenen's 10 year old son, was hoisted 25m up to the branch in a mielie bag. He then secured a wire platform to the branch. He was hauled up a second time to place some of the previously dislodged sticks onto the platform. Within two days nest building had recommenced and 1969 was the first year the birds had a successful breeding season. Bat Hawks have been breeding at the same site ever since. Source: For the love of Birds by Archie van Reenen
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