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July 2025 - Week 1 Roundup
- Vikram Nanjappa
- Jul 1, 2025
- 1 min read
Bateleur
Sighted on: 01.July.2025
We spotted a Bateleur perched gracefully on an umbrella thorn tree, not far from a waterhole. As we watched in silence, it stretched its jaws—a behaviour commonly seen in raptors as they relax or adjust after feeding.
The Bateleur gets its name from the French word for “tightrope walker,” a nod to its distinctive, rocking flight style that resembles balancing on a wire. Juveniles are mostly dark brown and take around five years to develop the striking adult plumage of black, white and chestnut. Observing this transformation is fascinating, as the bird gradually acquires its bold feathers and the confident flight of maturity.
These raptors often choose perches near waterholes, which attract a variety of prey such as small mammals, reptiles and insects. From these vantage points, the Bateleur scans the landscape, ever alert for its next meal.
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