Terathopius ecaudatus
Bateleur
A distinctive short-tailed eagle with a black body, chestnut back and tail, red facial skin and legs, and long wings that give it a characteristic rocking, tightrope-walker flight style. A wide-ranging aerial hunter and scavenger over savanna and open country, occurring across the Sahel-Sudan belt including Senegal and The Gambia. Global numbers have fallen sharply due to poisoning and pesticide use.
Identification
Told from other large African raptors by its very short tail (barely projecting beyond the wings/feet in flight), long angular wings, and rocking flight action; adults have bare red face and legs.
Want to see the Bateleur?
Join Yaya on a trip to one of the sites below, or ask about an itinerary built around it — he'll help you plan the best way to find it in the field.
Where to find it
Lower River Region
Kiang West is The Gambia's largest national park, spanning savanna woodland, tidal mudflats and mangrove creeks along the south bank of the Gambia River. It's renowned among birders for exceptional raptor diversity and is a stronghold for species rarely seen elsewhere in the country.
Tours that target this bird
A carefully paced 15-day tour from the Atlantic coast through the mangrove-lined River Gambia and into the eastern part of the country, balancing serious birding with rest, wildlife and Gambian culture. Around 300 species are possible depending on season.
View itinerary
A fully guided private birding tour combining the best of coastal and inland Gambia with the forests, wetlands and wildlife-rich landscapes of Eastern Senegal, including Niokolo-Koba National Park. Designed for serious birders seeking Gambian specialities, Sahelian species, woodland birds and waterbirds, at a comfortable and enjoyable pace.
View itinerary
A comprehensive birding, wildlife and nature tour combining the finest habitats of The Gambia with Northern Senegal's Saloum Delta — coastal wetlands, mangroves, woodland, rice fields, savannah and riverine forest, plus a boat excursion to the Scissor-tailed Kite colony at Kousmar.
View itinerary