Common or Jackal Buzzard Suikerebosrand SA Feb26, 2109 (1 Viewer)

WE are having a difference of opinion as to whether this bird is a Common (Steppe) Buzzard or a Jackal Buzzard. Any opinions and why? The last picture is a different bird taken near Kruger NP two days later

the very well visible barring on upperwing, the rather broad wings and rather short tail are all better for juvenile Jackal, the obvious white tips on flight feathers show no wear, so a rather young juvenile, again better for Jackal

This is tough.
my thoughts:
There are 3 options
juvenile Jackal, brown morph Steppe and rufous morph Long-legged Buzzards, according to SASOL.

Long-legged is out not only on range, but also the wings don't appear deep enough. I think you knew that anyway.

Steppe: Has a black or brown terminal band to the retricies. Photo 3 rules this out. The tail length to wing base ratio is not as large as that of the Jackal buzzard, i.e. the wings are not as deep compared to the outer tail length. The middle birds have brown eyes, but I can't decide what colour bird #1 has due to colour blindess near the brown spectrum, but they do appear paler. Could that be due to angle?

Juv. Jackal: considering the depth of wing, lack of terminal band and fierce looking head, this is what I think the middle two are.

I can't decide on the last bird,the head appears slimmer and the wing terminal bars are black, which point to Steppe, but the tail lacks terminal bar, possibly due to wear. May be others could give their opinion.

The first bird has a plain rufus breast and fits Jackal rather well, but the eye colour might decide otherwise. If it is due to angle, then I would go for Jackal Buzzard.

EDIT: This was cross-posted with Tom, who is a far better bet than I am, but our conclusions do align somewhat

Andy Hurley said:

I can't decide on the last bird,the head appears slimmer and the wing terminal bars are black, which point to Steppe, but the tail lacks terminal bar, possibly due to wear. May be others could give their opinion.

EDIT: This was cross-posted with Tom, who is a far better bet than I am, but our conclusions do align somewhat

Click to expand...

Andy, I agree that the last bird looks adult Steppe Buzzard, maybe just a question of angle and subterminal tail bar was visible a second later

tconzemi said:

Andy, I agree that the last bird looks adult Steppe Buzzard, maybe just a question of angle and subterminal tail bar was visible a second later

Click to expand...

Thanks Tom. I agee, another photo of the last bird would be helpful.

Birds 1,2 &3 are all the same bird, so I will go with Juvenile Jackal Buzzard. The last bird is a different bird days, later and unfortunately, the only picture I got of that bird. My initial reaction was Steppe, so I will stay with that.
Thanks