ID Help Buteo sp. Himalayan North-East India (1 Viewer)

[sbiswas.geo]

Need help with identification of the buteo species. Photographed at Barmiok, Sikkim, India during last winter. Mainly need pointers to understand between Himalayan (B. refectus) and Eastern (B. japonicus), the two likely possibilities here. I am thinking Eastern here but I may be completely wrong. No field experience really. Thanks.

 

[jalid]

It is juvenile either or. The features separating these two in the first plumage are mostly unknown, to me at least.

 

[sbiswas.geo]

It is juvenile either or. The features separating these two in the first plumage are mostly unknown, to me at least.

Understood. Thank you.

 

[Butty]

Is upland buzzard readily excluded? Might the big translucent(?) area on the primaries from beneath reflect the large white primary patch that upland buzzard is supposed to have on the upperwing?

 

[sbiswas.geo]

Is upland buzzard readily excluded? Might the big translucent(?) area on the primaries from beneath reflect the large white primary patch that upland buzzard is supposed to have on the upperwing?

Would be unlikely there.

 

[Butty]

I'll take your word for it - but, if that's correct, the field guide map is completely wrong.

 

[jalid]

Structure is important, Upland having broader body and relatively smaller head. Upland is very variable in colour, but it has dark, almost black trousers, roundish flank-patches (or largely dark rear body like in Long-legged Buzzard) and this pale individuals have broader pale area on breast. Eastern / Himalayan Buzzards are less variable and this plumage type is very typical for juvenile.

 

[sbiswas.geo]

I'll take your word for it - but, if that's correct, the field guide map is completely wrong.

I think I need to clarify. The distribution maps are indeed correct. The state of Sikkim in general do have Upland in its checklist and there are plenty of records. But almost all records are farther south or farther east of this site.