Grasshopper Buzzard
Butastur rufipennis
The Grasshopper Buzzard (Butastur rufipennis) is a rare kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found in 25 countries, weighing about 335 g. The grasshopper buzzard is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which is found in a narrow zone of sub-Saharan Africa north of the equator.
About the Grasshopper Buzzard
The grasshopper buzzard is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which is found in a narrow zone of sub-Saharan Africa north of the equator.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The adult grasshopper buzzard is grey brown above with a darker head and dark shaft streaks on all of its feathers. The feathers of the mantle and lesser coverts are narrowly with fringed rufous in fresh plumage, although this wears off. The grey tail has faint brown bars. The greater coverts and primary feathers are light rufous, the primaries are tipped with black, and form a conspicuous reddish patch in flight. The secondary feathers are rufous shading to dark brown towards the tip, which is white. The chin and throat are whitish, with three black streaks on either side of throat.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a winter visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Grasshopper Buzzard?
- The adult grasshopper buzzard is grey brown above with a darker head and dark shaft streaks on all of its feathers. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Grasshopper Buzzard?
- The Grasshopper Buzzard is a large sized bird weighing about 335 g.
- Where can you see a Grasshopper Buzzard?
- The Grasshopper Buzzard occurs in 25 countries, including the Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Uganda.
- What birds look similar to a Grasshopper Buzzard?
- The Grasshopper Buzzard is most easily confused with the Rufous-winged Buzzard, the Grey-faced Buzzard and the White-eyed Buzzard.
- Is the Grasshopper Buzzard endangered?
- The Grasshopper Buzzard is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Grasshopper Buzzard for real
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