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Long-Legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus)
[order] Falconiformes | [family] Accipitridae | [latin] Buteo rufinus | [UK] Long-Legged Buzzard | [FR] Buse féroce | [DE] Adlerbussard | [ES] Busardo Moro | [IT] Poiana codabianca | [NL] Arendbuizerd
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Characteristics
It is similar in appearance to the Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus), but larger in size (approximate length 60-65cm / 24") and more robust. There are many different colour forms, but usually Long-leggeds have clear orange tint to plumage, red or orange tail, pale head and largely white underwings. There is usually a distinctive black carpal patch and dark trailing edge to wing. Rump and trousers are often dark or deep rufous. Plumage varies from ghostly pale individuals to very dark birds. Some plumages are almost similar to those of the Steppe Buzzard, the Eastern subspecies of the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo vulpinus), but Long-legged Buzzards have longer wings and are more like Rough-Legged buzzards or even a small Aquila eagle.
| wingspan min.: | 130 | cm | wingspan max.: | 150 | cm |
| size min.: | 50 | cm | size max.: | 61 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 28 | days | incubation max.: | 34 | days |
| fledging min.: | 50 | days | fledging max.: | 55 | days |
| broods: | 1 | | eggs min.: | 3 | |
| | | | eggs max.: | 4 | |
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This bird has a widespread distribution in northern Africa and Asia, from Morocco to western China. It is known in south-western Europe also, and its total European population can be estimated at 1000-2000 breeding pairs. Its Greek breeding population is totalling not more than 40-60 pairs (Handrinos & Akriotis, Tucker & Heath). It is decreasing, mainly because of the increasing agricultural encroachment on its steppe habitat. Open, uncultivated areas, with high bushes, trees, cliffs or hillocks are favoured as nesting areas. Younger birds disperse north of breeding grounds and there are records from Northern Europe. It breeds between March and May. The number of eggs laid varies between 2-3 per clutch. Chiefly small mammals, reptiles, and large insects. Searches for prey in circling flight or from perch on rock, mound, or occasionally tree, and often on ground. Follows grass fires to feed on fleeing animals; also waits at burrows of rodents and stalks insects. This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 100,000-1,000,000 km2. It has a large global population estimated to be 100,000-1,000,000 individuals (Ferguson-Lees et al. 2001). Global population trends have not been quantified, but there is evidence of a population increase (Ferguson-Lees et al. 2001), and so the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. N African cirtensis sedentary and dispersive, having reached Senegal on one occasion. Eurasian rufinus either totally migratory, or partially migratory in N of breeding range and sedentary in S; winters from Turkey, Middle East and Arabia to Pakistan, N India and S Tibet; some birds reach N Africa, mainly Nile Valley and E sub-Saharan Africa. Leaves breeding grounds mainly in late Aug and Sept; returns mid-Mar to mid-Apr. Local movements due to droughts have been reported. article number 1 Title
Mallophaga Species on Long-Legged Buzzards
(Buteo rufinus) in Turkey
Author(s): Bilal DIK, Meral AYDENIZOZ OZKAYHAN
Abstract: This study was carried out on three long-legged buzzards to be brought for treatment to Veterinary Faculty, University of K?r?kkale. Twenty lice were collected from the buzzards...[more]..
Source: Türkiye Parazitoloji Dergisi, 31 (4): 298-301, 2007
download full text (pdf)
article number 2 Title
Mallophaga Species on Long-Legged Buzzards
(Buteo rufinus): New Records from Turkey
Author(s): Bilal DIK
Abstract: This study was carried out on two long-legged buzzards that were brought for treatment to the surgery clinic of the Veterinary
Faculty, University of Selçuk. A few lice were observed on the body surf..[more]..
Source: Türkiye Parazitoloji Dergisi, 30 (3): 226-230, 2006
download full text (pdf)
article number 3 Title
NOTES ON THE BREEDING BIOLOGY OF THE LONG-LEGGED BUZZARD (Buteo rufinus) IN BULGARIA
Author(s): ILIYA Ts. VATEV
Abstract: Observations were made on Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) nests in Bulgaria between
1978-83. Egg hatching interval was 29-44 hr. First nestling plumage color was dirty-white tinged beige, cere an..[more]..
Source: J. Raptor Res. 21(1):8-13
download full text (pdf)
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