This was a totally unexpected find this morning in our neighbourhood. We had just return from cycling when my wife spotted the Bat Hawk in our neighbourhood raptor-snagging-tree. It was unexpected as it was already 7.50am. I have seen these birds at the outskirts of the city, near limestone hills, but usually an early morning fly by. The bird was harassed by one of our local Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis) that uses this perch. It made 6 fast swops with harsh cries to try and dislodge the raptor. But was sadly ignored and the Dollarbird left.
Of interest was that the Bat Hawk used its grey-white eyelids much of the time to cover the eyes. I wondered whether the strong morning light was disturbing it? Or that was planning to roost there and this was a sleep behaviour? Noted that the bird had left by 8.25am.
-Amar
