The Melanistic form of the Gabar Goshawk at Kgalagadi

Just 21km North of Nossob, I came across this Melanistic (black) form of the Gabar Goshawk. In the mid morning sun it was just resting in the shade of a tree.
It was wholly black with faint paler barring on tail, and white barring on remiges, cere and legs were red. This was definitely the high light of my trip to the Kgalagadi. (Right click to enlarge the image)

Melanistic form of the Gabar Goshawk: wholly black

Only 15% of the population is melanistic

Enjoying the shade in the midmorning sun