Augur Buzzard
Buteo augur
The Augur Buzzard (Buteo augur) is a uncommon kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found in 17 countries, weighing about 1.1 kg. The augur buzzard is a fairly large African bird of prey.
About the Augur Buzzard
The augur buzzard is a fairly large African bird of prey. This species is distinct in typical adult plumage for its blackish back, whitish underside and orange-red tail, while juvenile augur buzzards are generally rather brown in colour; however a dark morph is known, which causes the bird's entire body to become darker. This member of the Buteo genus is distributed in several parts of the central and southern Africa, normally being found from Ethiopia to southern Angola and central Namibia. It is resident and non-migratory throughout its range. This is a species of mountains, and adjacent savannah and grassland. It is a typical buteonine raptor, being a generalist predator which tends to…
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How to identify it
Augur buzzards are one of two larger Buteo species native to Africa, alongside their cousins, the similarly sized jackal buzzard. Adults measure about 48 to 60 cm (19 to 24 in) with a large wingspan of 120 to 150 cm (3 ft 11 in to 4 ft 11 in). Males weigh from 880 to 1,160 g (1.94 to 2.56 lb), while females weigh from 1,100 to 1,330 g (2.43 to 2.93 lb). A small sample of 5 augur buzzard weighed an average of 973.2 g (2.146 lb) while 22 birds averaged 131.5 cm (4 ft 4 in) in wingspan. The adult augur buzzard is strikingly plumaged and essentially unmistakable if seen well.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in South Africa, Burundi.
When to see it
The Augur Buzzard can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Augur Buzzard?
- Augur buzzards are one of two larger Buteo species native to Africa, alongside their cousins, the similarly sized jackal buzzard. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Augur Buzzard?
- The Augur Buzzard is a large sized bird weighing about 1.1 kg.
- Where can you see an Augur Buzzard?
- The Augur Buzzard occurs in 17 countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda.
- What birds look similar to an Augur Buzzard?
- The Augur Buzzard is most easily confused with the Eastern Buzzard, the Himalayan Buzzard and the Upland Buzzard.
- Is the Augur Buzzard endangered?
- The Augur Buzzard is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Augur Buzzard for real
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