中文导读 城市常被看作野生动物被迫离开的地方，但在南非开普敦，一种猛禽却反其道而行。非洲鹞鹰在本世纪初之前还不在这座城市繁殖，如今却从绿树成荫的郊区到市中心都能找到它的巢。文章先介绍开普敦大学的研究项目和市民提供的大量目击报告，再解释这种鸟特殊的身体结构为何让它擅长在城市里觅食；接着说明市民如何参与、又该怎样避免打扰鸟巢，以及研究下一步要回答的问题；最后交代这一物种在其他地区数量下降的背景。阅读时可留意 a minimum, not an estimate 怎样区分“最低数”和“估计数”，以及 may、seems、appears 等词如何表达研究者尚未确定的判断。
正文 Until the early 2000s , a hawk with a strange way of hunting was not known to breed in Cape Town . Today it nests across the South African city , from green suburbs to crowded areas and the city centre . Researchers at the University of Cape Town want to know why the African harrier - hawk does so well there .
本段译文 直到本世纪初，一种捕猎方式奇特的鹰还没有在开普敦繁殖的记录。如今，它在这座南非城市各处筑巢，从绿意盎然的郊区到建筑密集的地区和市中心都有。开普敦大学的研究者想弄清楚，非洲鹞鹰为什么能在那里过得这么好。
The project is led by Lorcan McHarry , a master’s student at the university’s FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology . In September , the team asked the public to report sightings . Within weeks , people sent in more than 1,000 reports , and the researchers confirmed nests . McHarry says this number is a minimum , not an estimate , because many nests have still not been found .
本段译文 该项目由开普敦大学菲茨帕特里克非洲鸟类研究所的硕士生洛肯·麦克哈里负责。9 月，研究团队请公众上报目击情况。几周之内，人们发来了 1,000 多条报告，研究者确认了 13 个巢。麦克哈里说，这个数字只是最低数，而不是估计数，因为还有许多巢没有被发现。
The bird’s unusual body may be part of the answer . Its head is narrow , so it can push it into small holes . Its legs can bend in both directions at one joint , which lets it reach inside nests and pull out eggs or chicks . It can also fly slowly through thick trees and hold on to tree trunks and walls while it hunts
本段译文 这种鸟不同寻常的身体或许是答案的一部分。它的头很窄，可以伸进小洞里。它的腿能在一个关节处向两个方向弯曲，这让它可以把腿伸进鸟巢，掏出鸟蛋或雏鸟。它还能在茂密的树丛中缓慢飞行，并在捕猎时抓住树干和墙壁。
In a city , these skills are useful . Many birds , such as pigeons and starlings , build nests under roofs , in gutters , in palm trees and under solar panels . Most birds of prey cannot reach these places , but the harrier - hawk can . It also seems to eat rats , lizards and insects . McHarry says the bird appears to treat the city itself as a hunting ground .
本段译文 在城市里，这些本领很有用。许多鸟类，比如鸽子和椋鸟，会把巢筑在屋顶下、排水槽里、棕榈树上以及太阳能板下面。大多数猛禽够不到这些地方，但非洲鹞鹰可以。它似乎还吃老鼠、蜥蜴和昆虫。麦克哈里说，这种鸟似乎把城市本身当作了猎场。
Ordinary people play a key role in the study , because nests are often high in tall trees or on private land . The team asks residents to send photos or short videos and the location , but to watch from a distance . They should not climb trees , fly drones near nests or share exact nest locations in public
本段译文 普通市民在研究中发挥着关键作用，因为鸟巢往往高高地筑在大树上或位于私人土地上。研究团队请居民发送照片或短视频以及地点，但要远距离观察。他们不应爬树、不应在巢附近放无人机，也不应公开分享鸟巢的确切位置。
The first stage will look at where the birds nest and how many chicks survive . Most earlier information about the species comes from parts of Africa where rain falls in summer . Cape Town , however , gets most of its rain in winter , so the team wants to see whether the birds have changed their breeding season . Later , GPS trackers may show how far they travel .
本段译文 第一阶段的研究将关注这些鸟在哪里筑巢，以及有多少雏鸟能存活下来。关于这一物种的早期资料大多来自非洲夏季降雨的地区。然而，开普敦的降雨主要集中在冬季，因此团队想看看这些鸟是否改变了繁殖季节。之后，GPS 追踪器或许能显示它们会飞多远。
The question matters beyond one city . The species is not considered at risk worldwide , but it has fallen by more than half in several regions , and the loss of natural habitat is a major reason . If some cities can support healthy groups of these birds , understanding why could help protect wildlife as Africa becomes more urban .
本段译文 这个问题的意义不止于一座城市。这一物种在全球范围内并不被视为面临风险，但它在若干地区的数量已经减少了一半以上，而自然栖息地的丧失是一个主要原因。如果一些城市能够养活健康的鹞鹰群体，弄清其中的原因，或许有助于在非洲日益城市化的过程中保护野生动物。
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