The Cuckoo Hawk is a small bird of prey with distinctive plumage. Males are slate blue with bright red legs and beaks, while females and juveniles are browner with dark streaks. It feeds mainly on insects such as grasshoppers and dragonflies, but may also catch small mammals and birds. The species is migratory and winters in southern Africa. It nests in colonies, often occupying old crow nests. It prefers open habitats such as grasslands and farm fields. It can hunt while hovering, performing the “holy spirit” maneuver.