The long-tailed hawk (Urotriorchis macrourus) is a striking raptor of the tropical rainforests in western and central Africa. Its most notable feature is its exceptionally long, barred tail, which can comprise over half of its total body length, making it one of the longest-tailed raptors in the world. This bird of prey, which is dark grey on its upperparts and chestnut below, spends most of its life secretively hunting in the forest canopy. Its diet consists mainly of tree-dwelling mammals like squirrels and small birds, which it ambushes and kills with a powerful grip, often by breaking the neck. |
