Buteo in Bhutan (1 Viewer)

[arthurgrosset]

I attach two photos of a bird seen in the Mo Chu Valley (Tashithang Road), Bhutan, in late March this year.
I originally thought that it was Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius but it has been suggested that it might be Himalayan Buzzard B. burmanicus (a taxon I can find very little reference to) but it could be Common Buzzard B. buteo or might even be Long-legged Buzzard B. rufinus though the wing doesn't look quite correct.
Any ideas?

 

[CAU]

It is not a Buteo, rather a Spizaetus (Hawk Eagle). It has broad and rounded wings with seven fingers, Buteos have only five. Don't know which species, as I don't know anything about Hawk Eagles.

 

[JANJ]

Hi Arthur.

7 fingers excludes any of the Buzzards and would suggest an eagle or one of the Hawk eagles (Spizaetus).
maybe Mountain - nipalensis or Indian Crested - cirrhatus (changeable) Hawk Eagle. Perhaps better for nipalensis and a younger bird due to pale unmarked underparts.

http://orientalbirdimages.org/birdi...90&Bird_Image_ID=17412&Bird_Family_ID=96&p=18

JanJ