Buzzard

Buzzard

Buzzard (baj) name of a group of medium-sized birds of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae, order Ciconiiformes with rounded wings and long tails. Most are brown or grey in colour. There are 27 species of buzzards distributed worldwide except Antarctica and Australia. Bangladesh has 4 species of which two are migratory (Table).

honey buzzards are quite varied in appearance and habits. Some are extremely specialised; the members of genus Pernis eat the grubs and nests of wasps. When in flight they can usually be distinguished from other birds of prey by their broad wings and expansive, rounded tails. When hunting they soar gracefully for hours but in direct flight the wingbeats are slow and heavy. The plumage is dark brown above and white or mottled with brown below. The tail and underside of the wings are usually barred.

They catch small mammals and reptiles on the ground, and occasionally attack birds. Carrion is also eaten. The nest is a large, substantial structure of sticks lined with softer materials and usually placed on a tree or cliff. The whitish eggs (2-5) are blotched or spotted with brown.

Table Buzzards of Bangladesh.

Scientific name	English name
Butastur teesa	White-eyed Buzzard [White-eyed Buzzard Eagle]: small greyish brown raptor with white throat, two dark cheek stripes, brown and white underparts. Sexes alike; seen singly.
Pernis ptilorhyncus	Oriental Honey-buzzard [Honey-buzzard]: coloration varies; a common phase is greyish brown with dark grey head. Wings silver grey. Tail rounded, greyish. Sexes alike. Usually seen singly or in pairs; often roost together. Feeds largely on honey and bee larvae taken off live combs. Occasionally insects, frogs, small reptiles and birds.
Migratory species
Buteo buteo	Common Buzzard [Buzzard]: resembles immature Pariah Kite. In overhead flight the broad black-tipped wings show large whitish patches. It has two races; japonicus with brown tail and vulpinus with bright rufous tail. They are sometimes found in the company of vultures.
Buteo rufinus	Long-legged Buzzard: looks like an immature Brahminy Kite. Brown or almost white head, neck and breast. Pale creamy rufous tail with indistinct crossbars; legs are without feathers. Usually seen singly or in pairs. Often seen soaring and circling for hours. Gives aerobatic displays during breeding season.

[Md. Anwarul Islam]