African Wildlife & Environment Issue 82

FAUNA, FLORA & WILDLIFE

This co-evolution of predator and prey adaptations along the whole food chain from insects escaping bats to Bat Hawks preying on the bats is known as an evolutionary arms race (albeit not a nuclear threat). The hawks also take birds such as Palm Swifts, swallows and weavers as well as insects such as moths and katydids, evident by the feathers and exoskeletons amongst the bat fur evident in the Bat Hawk pellets collected below the nest. Interestingly, many of the insects are ‘lunar phobic’ and are more active on moonless nights. More insects mean more prey for bats, and a similar study of a pair of Bat Hawks in Tzaneen found that Bat Hawks are therefore more successful hunters during these moonless periods.

On the growing Bat Hawk Cam gallery, images were captured of the Bat Hawks displaying, courting and copulating and even laying a conspicuous white egg. It also recorded the birds resiliently incubating on the nest come heavy wind, rain or sunshine, much to anticipation of the Bat Hawk WhatsApp group. However, their breeding attempt has thus far sadly failed. This may have been due to a lightning strike on the nesting tree, while the nest was almost usurped by an opportunistic pair of Egyptian Geese (both events captured by Bat Hawk Cam). More likely we think it may be due to the accumulation of insecticides from the nearby fruit farms in the vicinity of the peri-urban setting

BAT HAWK MENU

Bat Hawk Cam captured several breeding attempts by the faithful pair, including them lining the nest with fresh Eucalyptus leaves. The instinct to breed is thought to be triggered by the secretion of prolactin from the pituitary gland.The shape of the pituitary gland, the pineal gland and the thalamus in the brain is depicted in Egyptian mythology as Horus – the ‘Eye of the Falcon’ also known as the ‘Inner Bird’.

which may be negatively impacting the birds’ reproductive success. This is cause for concern and is reminiscent of the ominous effects of DTT on Peregrine Falcons highlighted in Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring . The Bat Hawks nesting in the Sycamore Figs on the pristine sections of the Sabie and Crocodile rivers are likely in a healthier state. While Bat Hawks are not classified as threatened globally, they are certainly endangered

27 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 82 (2022)