While crossing a grazed pasture surrounded by woodland near Wilderness, South Africa on 12 August 1986, the author became aware of continuous and agitated calling from a large (40+) flock of Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris . At that moment, a young rufous-phase Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus rose from the center of the pasture in a small scrub patch. It briefly perched about 50 m from the author before flying off, alarm calling quietly. At its point of departure the author found an adult guineafowl with its neck and shoulder eaten away to expose the lung.