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.
| Polyboroides | |
|---|---|
 | |
| African harrier-hawk (Polyboroides typus) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Accipitriformes |
| Family: | Accipitridae |
| Subfamily: | Polyboroidinae |
| Genus: | Polyboroides A. Smith, 1829 |
| Type species | |
| Polyboroides typus[1] A. Smith, 1829 | |
| Species | |
See text | |
Etymology
Polyboroides: Genus Polyborus Vieillot, 1816; Greek: -οιδης -oidēs "resembling".[2]
Species
The genus Polyboroides has two recognized species:[3][4]
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| African harrier-hawk
| Polyboroides typus (Scopoli, 1786[5]) Two subspecies
| Sub-Saharan Africa | Size: Habitat: Diet: | LC
|
| Madagascar harrier-hawk
| Polyboroides radiatus Smith, 1829[6] | Madagascar | Size: Habitat: Diet: | LC
|
Note the double-jointed legs enabling it to hang downwards and yet reach upwards with its beak.
See also
References
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