Terathopius ecaudatus Bateleur Berghaan
Mabula Game Reserve, Dec 2025
A vagrant today, but probably a breeding resident long ago, before the widespread use of poison baits in jackal control. There are no records of its occurrence in the Waterberg in the bird atlas data-set that goes back 30 years, so it was a great surprise when Hamish Rodgers spotted and photographed an adult female in Welgevonden in July, 2020 (see below). There was a second record a week later, presumably the same female (image below).
A third record in Jul 2024 seen by Roelof van der Breggen east of Alma (not photographed).
And now this fourth record (alongside), seen and photographed by Lance Robinson in Mabula Game Reserve in December 2025.

Welgevonden Game Reserve, Jul 2020
Swerwer. Die Berghaan word ingesluit in 'n paar voëllyste van eiendomme in die Waterberge, sonder enige meegaande inligting. Volgens die Voëlatlas-data van die afgelope 30+ jaar is daar geen bewys dat hulle hier voorkom nie. Hulle word vermoedelik met die eerste oogopslag in vlug verwar met die Rooiborsjakkalsvoël, wat die verwarring kan verduidelik.
Groot was die verrassing dus toe Hamish Rodgers in Julie 2020 hierdie volwasse wyfie in Welgevonden gesien en gefotografeer het.
Waarskynlik dieselfde wyfie 'n week later in dieselfde area.
Welgevonden Game Reserve, Jul 2020
Presumably the same female seen again a week later in the same area.