Identification : Black above and underparts variably marked with black,white and chestnut. Black underwing coverts in flight with white flight feathers tipped black and short red tail.
Breeding : Early summer with nest built in tree. One to Threeplain white or blotched eggs hatching after 5 weeks and fledgling after 6 weeks.
Size : 44-53cm with wingspan 125cm
Diet : Small mammals,birds,lizards and snakes. Hunts from perch postion and in flight.
Habitat : Endemic to southern Africa in mountain areas in fybos, Karoo, grasslands and moist savanna.
Breeding : Early summer. Nest built in tree or on cliff. One to Three plain white, plain or lightly blotched eggs which hatch after 6 weeks. Fledgling after 7 weeks.
Size : 35-37cm with wingspan 79cm
Buzzards are similar to eagles in shape but are smaller in size and do not have feathered legs. They generally prey on insects, lizards, birds and smaller mammals. Six species occur in the southern Africa region.(family Accipitridae)
Breeding : Summer migrant does not breed in Southern Africa.
Habitat : Throughout region except Namib Desert and rare in Karoo. Attracted to agricultural areas. Summer migrant.
Size : 45-50cm with wingspan 102-128cm
Identification : Brown with cinnamon coloured tail with variably patterned underparts usually with barred belly with brown upper chest seperated by a white lower chest. Can be found perching on roadside poles.
Diet : Insects,birds,rats and mice. Hunts from perch and hovering position.
Size : 56cm with wingspan 135-148cm
Habitat : Common to woodland areas. Summer migrant.
Identification : Brown variable colour similar to Steppe Buzzard but differs with two broad black bars at base of tail. Has distinctive yellow eye and pigeon like head. Due to the nature of their diet, they are often seen on the ground.
Breeding : Summer migrant does not breed in Southern Africa.
Diet : Raids bee and wasp nests for the insects
and larvae inside. Small proportion of their diet includes small mammals and reptiles.
Identification : Looks more like a goshawk than buzzard.Has a unique white throat with black stripe. Underparts and chest plain grey with barred belly.
Diet : Hunts from perchfor insects, lizards, snakes, birds, rats and mice.
Habitat : Moist savanna in north and east. Uncommon resident.
B U Z Z A R D S
Jackal Buzzard (Buteo rufofuscus)
Steppe Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus)
Lizard Buzzard (Kaupifalco monogrammicus)