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The lizard buzzard, or lizard hawk, is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is the only species placed in the genus Kaupifalco. It is native to Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite its name, it may be more closely related to the Accipiter hawks than the Buteo buzzards.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The lizard buzzard is a smallish stocky raptor with a total body length of 35–37 cm and a wingspan of about 79 cm. Males weigh 246 g, females 304 g on average. The upperparts, head and breast are grey. There is a vertical black line on the white throat, which distinguishes this species from all other raptors. The belly is white with fine dark barring. The underwings are white with dark tips. The tail is black with a white tip and a single white band. The eyes are dark reddish brown to black. The cere and legs are red to orange red. Sexes are similar.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in November · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Eastern Marsh HarrierCircus spilonotusIt is 48 to 58 cm long with a wingspan of 113 to 137 cm; like most birds of prey, the female is usually larger than the male.
Long-winged HarrierCircus buffoniThe long-winged is mid-sized bird of prey, and like most birds of prey species, the females are larger than the males.
Grey-headed KiteLeptodon cayanensisThe gray-headed kite is 46–53 cm in length and weighs 410–605 grams (.9–1.3 lb)
The adult has a grey head, black upperparts, white underparts, and a black tail with two or three white bars.
Learn the Lizard Buzzard for real
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