Africa: Raptor in Burundi, Bujumbura, 6 Nov 2018 (1 Viewer)

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Peter Bijlmakers

Member

• Nov 13, 2018

• #1

Good day Forum.
I saw this raptor in flight only in Bujumbura. I include 2 bad pictures in this message. I have the un-cropped pics if needed.
The raptor reminded me of a type of buzzard. Buzzard with rufous tail (no terminal band) with white tail base, obvious white wing patches and very light head. At some stage it was hanging against the wind showing long neck. It than went into a stooping fall by folding it's wings back (I have seen this in Booted Eagle before) and dropping at high speed. I could not see if it reached the ground.

I think it may be a long-legged buzzard but I am not sure. Does common and/or long-legged buzzard do the stooping manouevre? Are the photos good enough for a positive ID?

Thanks for your help.
Peter Bijlmakers

 

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jstanleyg

Well-known member

• Nov 13, 2018

• #2

Looks like Long-legged Buzzard to me. Do any other buzzards have such prominent carpal patches? Were the underwing coverts also rufous?

 

Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Nov 13, 2018

• #3

I'd say a juvenile Mountain Buzzard.

 

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Peter Bijlmakers

Member

• Nov 14, 2018

• #4

Yes, rufous/brown.

 

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Peter Bijlmakers

Member

• Nov 14, 2018

• #5

I saw a few mountain buzzards during this trip. They were all very dark compared to this bird and more compact.

 

Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Nov 14, 2018

• #6

Peter Bijlmakers said:

I saw a few mountain buzzards during this trip. They were all very dark compared to this bird and more compact.

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Juvenile buzzards look more elegant than adults and, indeed, in case of Mountain Buzzard, juveniles are paler, and this dark "hood" and breast confirm.

 

Tib78

Well-known member

• Nov 14, 2018

• #7

Another option would be Steppe buzzard. Not easy to tell which with these images in my view...

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Nov 14, 2018

• #8

Tib78 said:

Another option would be Steppe buzzard. Not easy to tell which with these images in my view...

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I wondered about this too.

 

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Peter Bijlmakers

Member

• Nov 16, 2018

• #9

Thanks Valery. It seems the picture quality is not good enough for a positive ID. Mountain buzzard is a possibility or are you certain that it is this species?

 

P

Peter Bijlmakers

Member

• Nov 16, 2018

• #10

Thanks. Better pictures seem to be needed.

 

Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Nov 16, 2018

• #11

Peter Bijlmakers said:

Thanks Valery. It seems the picture quality is not good enough for a positive ID. Mountain buzzard is a possibility or are you certain that it is this species?

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Mountain and Steppe and very similar, and identifying one juvenile on a single photo like this is tricky. No 100% of course, and if you've seen a clear reddish tail, Steppe is even more likely.