From Opus

Photo by Rajiv Lather
Location: Rajasthan, India

Buteo rufinus

[edit] Identification

60-65cm. Plumage pattern very variable. Orangey hue to plumage. Red or orange tail, creamy-buff head and largely white underwings.

[edit] Similar Species

Immature birds are virtually indistinguishable from Common Buzzard. In the Asian part of its range, Upland Buzzard needs to be considered.

[edit] Distribution

Photo by A. Meir
Photographed at Eilat, Israel

Breeds in Europe, Middle East, northern Africa, and Asia to India and Mongolia; winters to Africa south of Sahara. In Europe found in Turkey, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary.

[edit] Taxonomy

Two subspecies are recognized:

• B.f. ruffinus -- this is the northern subspecies
• B.f. cirtensis -- northern Africa to the Arabian Peninsula.

[edit] Habitat

Open, uncultivated areas, with high bushes, trees, cliffs or hillocks.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Diet

Diet includes small rodents, although it will also take lizards, snakes, small birds and large insects.

[edit] Vocalisation

[edit] References

1. Wikipedia
2. Collins Bird Guide 5th Edition
3. Paper describing identification features of Long-legged vs Upland Buzzards

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages