Long-legged buzzard

   ›      ›   Long-legged buzzard - Buteo rufinus.

The long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus) belongs to the family Accipitridae. These long-legged buzzard species are distributed in Europe, Asia, Indian subcontinent and Africa.

Taxonomy of Long-legged buzzard

  • Scientific Name: Buteo rufinus
  • Common Name: Long-legged buzzard
  • French: Buse féroce; German: Adlerbussard; Spanish: Busardo moro;
  • Other names: Falco rufinus Cretzschmar, 1829; Buteo ferox;
  • Family: Accipitridae › Accipitriformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
  • Species author: (Cretzschmar, 1829)
Buteo rufinus was earlier included in the genus Falco. The two recognized subspecies are: B. r. rufinus (Cretzschmar, 1829) and B. r. cirtensis (J. Levaillant, 1850).

Birds of India - Image of Long-legged buzzard - Buteo rufinus
Birds of India - Image of Long-legged buzzard - Buteo rufinus

Description

The long-legged buzzard is a medium sized bird of prey, measuring 50 to 65 cm in length and weighing 600 to 1,300 grams. The female buzzard is larger and weighs 900 to 1700 grams. The wingspan is 125 to 155 cm. These bird species are polymorphic, plumage varying in color from dark brown to reddish to pale brown. They have orange tinge to their plumage, reddish orange tail and pale head. The underwings appear whitish. There is usually a distinctive black carpal patch. The trailing edge to the wing is blackish. They have long wings and legs. The buzzard call is a loud mewing, screaming sound.

Habitat

The long-legged buzzard inhabits various habitats like steppe, open country, semi-desert regions, rocky areas and forests with clearings.

Feeding habits

The long-legged buzzard preys on small mammals, especially rodents. It also feeds on lizards, snakes, small birds and large insects.

Breeding

The long-legged buzzard breeding season is during March and April. It nests on high bushes, trees, cliffs or hillocks. The nest is built with sticks and twigs.

Distribution

The long-legged buzzard subspecies B. r. cirtensis is distributed in northern Africa, including Mauritania, Tunisia and Egypt. Small populations are also found in Middle East, Spain and Italy. The buzzard subspecies B. r. rufinus is distributed in southeastern Europe, Turkey, Northeast Africa, Israel, Middle East, Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asian nations, northwest China, Pakistan, north India and Bangladesh.

Movement Patterns

The long-legged buzzard populations in north Africa are sedentary. The European and Asian buzzard populations migrate southwards to Africa, southern Asia and Indian subcontinent during August and September and return in March and April.

Status and conservation

The long-legged buzzard global population is estimated at 100,000 individual birds. These buzzard species have an extremely large range and population and are considered least vulnerable. Wind energy installations, pesticide use, depletion of prey and habitat loss are the main threats to the survival of these bird species.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these buzzard species and has listed them as of "Least Concern".

Biological classification of Buteo rufinus
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Accipitriformes
Family:Accipitridae
Subfamily:-
Genus:Buteo
Species:B. rufinus
Binomial name:Buteo rufinus
Distribution:Europe, Asia, Indian subcontinent and Africa;
Feeding habits:small birds, small mammals, lizards;
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern

Popular posts in Birds of India

Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Teyr%C3%AA_Baz.jpg
Image author: Dûrzan cîrano | License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Current topic in Birds of India: Long-legged buzzard - Buteo rufinus.

Eurasian buzzard

   ›      ›   Eurasian buzzard - Buteo buteo.

The Eurasian buzzard (Buteo buteo) belongs to the family Accipitridae. These Eurasian buzzard species are distributed in Europe, Asia, Indian subcontinent and Africa.

Taxonomy of Eurasian buzzard

  • Scientific Name: Buteo buteo
  • Common Name: Eurasian buzzard
  • French: Buse variable; German: Mäusebussard; Spanish: Busardo ratonero;
  • Other names: Falco Buteo Linnaeus, 1758; Common buzzard;
  • Family: Accipitridae › Accipitriformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
  • Species author: (Linnaeus, 1758)
Buteo buteo was earlier included in the genus Falco. Earlier it was also clubbed with B. japonicus and B. refectus. The nine recognized subspecies are: B. b. rothschildi Swann, 1919, B. b. harterti Swann, 1919, B. b. insularum Floericke, 1903, B. b. buteo (Linnaeus, 1758), B. b. arrigonii Picchi, 1903, B. b. pojana (Savi, 1831), B. b. bannermani Swann, 1919, B. b. vulpinus (Gloger, 1833) and B. b. menetriesi Bogdanov, 1879.

Birds of India - Image of Eurasian buzzard - Buteo buteo
Birds of India - Image of Eurasian buzzard - Buteo buteo

Description

The Eurasian buzzard is a medium sized bird of prey, measuring 40 to 50 cm in length and weighing 400 to 1,200 grams. The female buzzard is a larger bird and weighs 500 to 1,300 grams. The wingspan is 110 to 140 cm. The plumage varies from white to black in the subspecies. The more common plumage is shades of brown, with a pale 'necklace' of feathers. The flight feathers are barred and there is pale area in the outer primaries. The buzzard call is a loud mewing sound.

Habitat

These buzzard species inhabit edges of forests, pastures, open fields, steppe, coniferous forests, deciduous forests, wetlands and cultivated lands with closeby tree cover.

Feeding habits

The Eurasian buzzard preys upon small birds, mammals, frogs, reptiles and large insects. In rare occasions it is seen scavenging dead animals.

Breeding

The Eurasian buzzard breeding season varies with latitude and is generally from March to May. Nest is built with sticks and twigs on a tree branch. The clutch may contain 2 to 4 eggs. The incubation of eggs is mostly by the female buzzard. The male feeds the female and the chicks.

Distribution

The Eurasian buzzard is distributed in Europe, Asia, India and Africa.

Movement Patterns

The Eurasian buzzard is mostly resident. The subspecies B. b. vulpinus is completely migratory, migrating from northern Europe and Asia to winter in southern Europe, Africa and India.

Status and conservation

The Eurasian buzzard has an extremely large range and population and is considered least vulnerable. Persecution, bait traps, pesticides, decline is prey animals and habitat loss are the main threats to survival of these bird species.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these buzzard species and has listed them as of "Least Concern".

Biological classification of Buteo buteo
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Accipitriformes
Family:Accipitridae
Subfamily:-
Genus:Buteo
Species:B. buteo
Binomial name:Buteo buteo
Distribution:Europe, Asia, Indian subcontinent and Africa;
Feeding habits:small birds, small mammals, lizards and insects;
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern

Popular posts in Birds of India

Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buteo_buteo_-Hamerton_Zoo,_Cambridgeshire,_England_-head-8a.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spencer77/4897737103/
Image author: Spencer Wright | License: CC BY 2.0
Current topic in Birds of India: Eurasian buzzard - Buteo buteo.

White-eyed buzzard

   ›      ›   White-eyed buzzard - Butastur teesa.

The white-eyed buzzard (Butastur teesa) belongs to the family Accipitridae. These white-eyed buzzard species are distributed in West Asia, Indian subcontinent and Myanmar.

Taxonomy of White-eyed buzzard

  • Scientific Name: Butastur teesa
  • Common Name: White-eyed buzzard
  • French: Busautour aux yeux blancs; German: Weißaugenteesa; Spanish: Busardo tisa;
  • Other names: Circus Teesa Franklin, 1831; White-eyed buzzard-hawk;
  • Family: Accipitridae › Accipitriformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
  • Species author: (Franklin, 1831)
Butastur teesa was earlier included in the genus Circus. It is closely related to B. rufipennis, B. liventer and B. indicus.

Indian birds - Image of White-eyed buzzard - Butastur teesa
Indian birds - Image of White-eyed buzzard - Butastur teesa

Description

The white-eyed buzzard is a medium sized bird of prey, measuring 35 to 45 cm in length and weighing 350 grams. The wingspan is 85 to 100 cm. The female buzzard is slightly larger than the male. It is slim bodied and has whitish iris and throat. The ceres are distinctly yellow and and there is a dark mesial stripe. The head and back are dark and the underside of the body is darkly barred. When perched, the wing tip nearly reaches the tip of the tail. On the rufous tail there is a darker subterminal band. The wings appear narrow and the tips of the wing feathers is dark. The buzzard call is a mewing sound.

Habitat

The white-eyed buzzard inhabits dry open land, open forest and cultivated lands.

Feeding habits

The white-eyed buzzard preys on small birds, mammals, reptiles, frogs, crabs and insects like locusts, grasshoppers and crickets.

Breeding

The white-eyed buzzard breeding season is from February to June. The nest is built on a tree with twigs and both the parents take part in nest building. The nest may contain up to three eggs. The female buzzard alone incubates the eggs.

Distribution

These buzzard species are distributed in India, Iran, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. They are summer visitor in northeastern Afghanistan. They may go up to 1200m in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Movement Patterns

The white-eyed buzzard are resident birds in their range. They may move down from higher elevations in winter. In northeastern Afghanistan, they are summer visitors.

Status and conservation

The white-eyed buzzard has an extremely large range and population and hence it considered not vulnerable. The habitat loss and fluctuations in prey populations are the main threats to survival of these species of birds.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these buzzard species and has listed them as of "Least Concern".

Biological classification of Butastur teesa
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Accipitriformes
Family:Accipitridae
Subfamily:-
Genus:Butastur
Species:B. teesa
Binomial name:Butastur teesa
Distribution:Asia, Indian subcontinent and Myanmar;
Feeding habits:small birds, small mammals, lizards and insects;
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern

Popular posts in Birds of India

Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:BN_WEB.jpg
Image author: Subramanya C K | License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Current topic in Birds of India: White-eyed buzzard - Butastur teesa.

Eurasian sparrowhawk

   ›      ›   Eurasian sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus.

The Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) belongs to the family Accipitridae. These Eurasian sparrowhawk species are distributed in Europe, Asia, Indian subcontinent and Africa.

Taxonomy of Eurasian sparrowhawk

  • Scientific Name: Accipiter nisus
  • Common Name: Eurasian sparrowhawk
  • French: Épervier d’Europe; German: Sperber; Spanish: Gavilán común;
  • Other names: Falco Nisus Linnaeus, 1758; Northern sparrowhawk;
  • Family: Accipitridae › Accipitriformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
  • Species author: (Linnaeus, 1758)
Accipiter nisus was earlier included in the genus Falco. It is closely related to A. rufiventris, A. striatus and A. ovampensis. The six recognized subspecies are: A. n. nisus (Linnaeus, 1758), A. n. nisosimilis (Tickell, 1833), A. n. melaschistos A. O. Hume, 1869, A. n. wolterstorffi O. Kleinschmidt, 1901, A. n. granti Sharpe, 1890 and A. n. punicus Erlanger, 1897.

Indian birds - Image of Eurasian sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus
Indian birds - Image of Eurasian sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

Description

The Eurasian sparrowhawk is a small bird of prey, measuring 30 to 40 cm and weighing 100 to 200 grams. The female sparrowhawk is much larger than male and weighs 180 to 350 grams. The wingspan is 60 to 80 cm. Adult males have bluish grey upper parts, reddish cheeks and flanks and orange-barred underparts. The females and juveniles are brown above with brown barring below. The iris are yellow in immature males and are orange-yellow or orange-red in adult sparrowhawks. Their call is a a series of "kek-kek" sounds.

Habitat

The Eurasian sparrowhawk inhabit the edges of wooded areas and forests interspersed with open areas. The migrant sparrowhawks can be seen in any habitat, including urban areas and cities.

Feeding habits

The Eurasian sparrowhawk feed on birds and small mammals. It hunts by surprise attack from a perch.

Breeding

The Eurasian sparrowhawk breeding season is from April to June. The nest is built on a tree in the lower canopy with twigs, mostly by the male. The nest is lined with small twigs. Usually a clutch of four or five eggs is laid. The females incubates the eggs and the male sparrowhawk hunts and feeds the female and chicks.

Distribution

The Eurasian sparrowhawk are distributed in Europe, Asia, Indian subcontinent and Africa.

Movement Patterns

The northernmost populations may move southwards during July and November, returning between March and June. The birds further south in Asia and Africa tend to be resident or dispersive.

Status and conservation

The Eurasian sparrowhawk global population is estimated to number more than 1,500,000 individual birds. These species of sparrowhawks have an extremely large range and population and are considered least vulnerable. Widespread persecution, use of harmful organochlorine pesticides, trapping by falconers, wind energy farms and habitat loss are the major threats for the survival of these species of birds.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these sparrowhawk species and has listed them as of "Least Concern".

Biological classification of Accipiter nisus
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Accipitriformes
Family:Accipitridae
Subfamily:-
Genus:Accipiter
Species:A. nisus
Binomial name:Accipiter nisus
Distribution:Europe, Asia, Indian subcontinent, Africa;
Feeding habits:small birds, small mammals, lizards and insects;
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern

Popular posts in Birds of India

Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Accipiter_nisus_male_Rozenburg_(NL).jpg
Image author: Dwergenpaartje | License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Current topic in Birds of India: Eurasian sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus.

Northern goshawk

   ›      ›   Northern goshawk - Accipiter gentilis.

The northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) belongs to the family Accipitridae. These northern goshawk species are distributed in North America, Asia and Europe.

Taxonomy of Northern goshawk

  • Scientific Name: Accipiter gentilis
  • Common Name: Northern goshawk
  • French: Autour des palombes; German: Habicht; Spanish: Azor común;
  • Other names: Falco gentilis Linnaeus, 1758;
  • Family: Accipitridae › Accipitriformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
  • Species author: (Linnaeus, 1758)
Accipiter gentilis was earlier included in the genus Falco. It is closely related to A. henstii and A. melanoleucus. The ten recognized subspecies are: A. g. buteoides (Menzbier, 1882), A. g. albidus (Menzbier, 1882), A. g. gentilis (Linnaeus, 1758), A. g. schvedowi (Menzbier, 1882), A. g. fujiyamae (Swann & E. J. O. Hartert, 1923), A. g. arrigonii (Kleinschmidt, 1903), A. g. marginatus Piller & Mitterpacher, 1783, A. g. atricapillus (A. Wilson, 1812), A. g. laingi (Taverner, 1940) and A. g. apache van Rossem, 1938.

Indian birds - Image of Northern goshawk - Accipiter gentilis
Indian birds - Image of Northern goshawk - Accipiter gentilis

Description

The northern goshawk is a medium sized bird of prey, measuring 45 to 65 cm in length and weighing 500 to 1,100 grams. The female goshawk is slightly larger and weighs 800 to 2,200 grams. These birds have short, broad wings and long tail. They are blue-grey above and are grey or white below. The chest and belly are barred. Adult goshawk have a white eye stripe. There are minor variations among the goshawk subspecies in eye color and level of grey or white coloration. Their call is a loud "kek-kek-kek" sound.

Habitat

The northern goshawk species inhabit mature, deciduous and coniferous forests, preferring areas near clearings and the forest edge.

Feeding habits

The northern goshawk prey upon birds, small mammals and reptiles. They surprise the prey by diving and attacking the prey.

Breeding

The northern goshawk breeding season is from early April to early June. A breeding pair will mate for life. The nest is built on a large, old tree. The nest is built with twigs and is lined with leafy twigs. A clutch may have up to five eggs. The female goshawk incubates the eggs and the male hunts and feeds the female and the chicks.

Distribution

The northern goshawk is distributed in the temperate parts of the Northern Hemisphere including North America, Europe and Asia.

Movement Patterns

The northern goshawks are mostly sedentary in their habitats. The northernmost populations may move southwards during September and November and return in March and April.

Status and conservation

The northern goshawk global population is estimated to number more than 500,000 individual birds. These species of goshawks have an extremely large range and population and are considered least vulnerable. Persecution, deforestation, poisoning from pesticides and habitat loss are the main threat to the survival of these species.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these goshawk species and has listed them as of "Least Concern".

Biological classification of Accipiter gentilis
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Accipitriformes
Family:Accipitridae
Subfamily:-
Genus:Accipiter
Species:A. gentilis
Binomial name:Accipiter gentilis
Distribution:Europe, Asia, Indian subcontinent and North America;
Feeding habits:small birds, small mammals, lizards and insects;
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern

Popular posts in Birds of India

Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Northern_Goshawk_ad_M2.jpg
Image author: Norbert Kenntner | License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Current topic in Birds of India: Northern goshawk - Accipiter gentilis.

Besra

   ›      ›   Besra - Accipiter virgatus.

The besra (Accipiter virgatus) belongs to the family Accipitridae. These besra species are distributed in Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and East Asia.

Taxonomy of Besra

  • Scientific Name: Accipiter virgatus
  • Common Name: Besra
  • French: Épervier besra; German: Besrasperber; Spanish: Gavilán besra;
  • Other names: Falco virgatus Temminck, 1822;
  • Family: Accipitridae › Accipitriformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
  • Species author: Temminck, 1822
Accipiter virgatus was earlier included in the genus Falco. It is closely related to A. gularis and A. fasciatus. The eleven recognized subspecies are: A. v. kashmiriensis Whistler, 1936, A. v. affinis Hodgson, 1836, A. v. fuscipectus Mees, 1970, A. v. besra Jerdon, 1839, A. v. abdulalii Mees, 1981, A. v. confusus E. J. O. Hartert, 1910, A. v. quagga Parkes, 1973, A. v. rufotibialis Sharpe, 1887, A. v. vanbemmeli Voous, 1950, A. v. virgatus (Temminck, 1822) and A. v. quinquefasciatus Mees, 1984.

Indian birds - Image of Besra - Accipiter virgatus
Indian birds - Image of Besra - Accipiter virgatus

Description

The besra is a small bird of prey, measuring 25 to 35 cm in length and weighing 80 to 140 grams. The female is slightly larger and weighs 130 to 210 grams. The besra has short broad wings and a long tail. The underwings are barred. The upper parts of male are dark blue-grey and the underparts are whitish with reddish barring. The female is dark brown on the upper parts. The call is a loud 'ki-we' sound.

Habitat

These species inhabit deciduous and evergreen forests, dense forests, savannah and cultivated lands.

Feeding habits

The besra feeds on large insects, small birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs.

Breeding

The besra breeding season changes with the range and in the north India it is from March to June. They build nest in trees and the clutch is 2 to 5 eggs.

Distribution

The besra species are distributed in India, Pakistan, Nepal, central and south China, Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Philippines.

Movement Patterns

The besra is a sedentary resident bird. The birds in Nepal and Himalayas may move southwards in winter.

Status and conservation

The besra global population is estimated to number 100,000 individual birds. These species have large range and population and are hence considered least vulnerable. The habitat loss due human activities is the main threat for the survival of these species of birds.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these sparrowhawk species and has listed them as of "Least Concern".

Biological classification of Accipiter virgatus
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Accipitriformes
Family:Accipitridae
Subfamily:-
Genus:Accipiter
Species:A. virgatus
Binomial name:Accipiter virgatus
Distribution:Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and East Asia;
Feeding habits:small birds, small mammals, lizards and insects;
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern

Popular posts in Birds of India

Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Besra_Sparrowhawk.jpg
Image author: Ash7103 | License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Current topic in Birds of India: Besra - Accipiter virgatus.

Japanese sparrowhawk

   ›      ›   Japanese sparrowhawk - Accipiter gularis.

The Japanese sparrowhawk (Accipiter gularis) belongs to the family Accipitridae. These Japanese sparrowhawk species are distributed in Russia, China, Japan, eastern India, Indonesia, Philippines and Southeast Asia.

Taxonomy of Japanese sparrowhawk

  • Scientific Name: Accipiter gularis
  • Common Name: Japanese sparrowhawk
  • French: Épervier du Japon; German: Trillersperber; Spanish: Gavilancito japonés;
  • Other names: Astur gularis Temminck and Schlegel, 1844;
  • Family: Accipitridae › Accipitriformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
  • Species author: (Horsfield, 1821)
Accipiter gularis was earlier included in the genus Astur. It is closely related to A. virgatus, A. fasciatus and A. cirrocephalus. The three recognized subspecies are: A. g. sibiricus Stepanyan, 1959, A. g. gularis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1844) and A. g. iwasakii Mishima, 1962.

Indian birds - Image of Japanese sparrowhawk- Accipiter gularis
Indian birds - Image of Japanese sparrowhawk- Accipiter gularis

Description

The Japanese sparrowhawk is a small bird of prey, measuring 20 to 30 cm in length and weighing 80 to 140 grams. The female sparrowhawk is larger than the male and weighs 110 to 190 grams. The wingspan is 45 to 60 cm. The male has dark grey upper parts. In males, the underwings are dark and barred and the underparts are lightly barred. The sparrowhawk eyes are red in males and yellow in females. The call is a “kik-kik-kik” and a mewing sound.

Habitat

The Japanese sparrowhawk inhabits different types of forests and open lands with trees.

Feeding habits

The Japanese sparrowhawk feeds on small birds, mostly small forest passerines, taken in flight.

Breeding

These Japanese sparrowhawk species breed during May-June. The nest is built on trees with twigs.

Distribution

The sparrowhawk subspecies A. g. sibiricus is distributed in Russia, Mongolia, China, Japan and Southeast Asia. The subspecies A. g. gularis is distributed in Russia, Korea, China, Japan, Philippines and Indonesia. It is a occasional visitor to India. The subspecies A. g. iwasakii is distributed in South Ryukyu Island.

Movement Patterns

The Japanese sparrowhawk subspecies A. g. iwasakii are sedentary. The other subspecies are migratory and winter in Indonesia, Philippines, Southeast Asia and occasionally in eastern India.

Status and conservation

The Japanese sparrowhawk population is estimated to number in the tens of thousands. These species of birds have an extremely large range and are considered least vulnerable. The loss of habitat in the breeding grounds is the main threat to the survival of these species of birds.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these sparrowhawk species and has listed them as of "Least Concern".

Biological classification of Accipiter gularis
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Accipitriformes
Family:Accipitridae
Subfamily:-
Genus:Accipiter
Species:A. gularis
Binomial name:Accipiter gularis
Distribution:Russia, China, Japan, eastern India, Indonesia, Philippines, Southeast Asia;
Feeding habits:small birds;
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern

Popular posts in Birds of India

Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20100710_tumi_nagoya_03.jpg
Image author: たー坊 | License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Current topic in Birds of India: Japanese sparrowhawk - Accipiter gularis.