Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus)
Long-legged Buzzard

Long-legged Buzzard

Buteo rufinus

The Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) is a robust raptor, one of the larger members of the genus Buteo. It is characterized by a relatively large bill, long wings, and a lengthy tail. The species exhibits a variety of plumage morphs, ranging from pale to dark, and is known for its somewhat sluggish demeanor. It often perches in an upright position on exposed vantage points such as rocks, cliffs, or artificial structures like pylons.

Identification Tips

Adult Long-legged Buzzards have very dark brown eyes, with juveniles starting with pale grey to greyish yellow eyes that darken with age. The cere and legs are both a dull yellow. In flight, they present a broad-bodied silhouette with long wings and a rounded tail. The species is highly variable in plumage, with pale, intermediate, rufous, and dark morphs. The pale morph has a creamy rufous to light sandy head, while the dark morph is blackish-brown to black with some whitish streaks on the nape.

Habitat

The Long-legged Buzzard favors open, uncultivated areas with high bushes, trees, cliffs, or hillocks for nesting, as well as access to freshwater. Habitats range from steppe, semi-desert, and desert edges to barren rocky landscapes and dry shrubland. They may also inhabit woodlands with ample clearings and occasionally coastal areas.

Distribution

This species is found across parts of Eurasia and North Africa, from Southeastern Europe to East Africa and the northern Indian subcontinent. It is a resident in many areas but migratory in others, with wintering grounds extending through lower Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

Behaviour

Long-legged Buzzards are powerful predators that hunt by pouncing from perches or on the wing. They are known to hover and stoop on prey, often utilizing a variety of habitats for foraging. They may also scavenge for carrion, especially outside the breeding season.

Song & Calls

The Long-legged Buzzard is not particularly vocal, but its calls are shorter and slightly higher than those of the Common Buzzard. The most common call is a short mew, sometimes described as "gull-like."

Breeding

The species nests on cliffs, crags, trees, or artificial structures, with a preference for shaded locations. Clutch size varies, typically with 2 to 4 eggs, and the breeding season can range from March to July, depending on the region.

Similar Species

The Long-legged Buzzard can be confused with the Common Buzzard, especially the steppe subspecies, but differences in size, plumage, and flight characteristics can aid in identification. It may also resemble the Upland Buzzard and Rough-legged Buzzard but can be distinguished by habitat preference and morphological traits.

Diet and Feeding

The diet mainly consists of small mammals such as rodents and a significant number of reptiles. Birds, insects, and other invertebrates are secondary prey types. The Long-legged Buzzard is an opportunistic feeder, adapting its hunting strategy to the available habitat.

Conservation Status

The Long-legged Buzzard is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable and widely distributed population. However, some regional declines have been noted, and it is considered Vulnerable in Europe due to a decrease of over 30% from historical numbers.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Long-legged Buzzards on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Kites, Hawks, Eagles

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Dan R
Great app for bird fanatics
Great app for bird fanatics - very user friendly and a perfect place to share sightings.
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Chudbond
Love Birda
I love this app. It really encourages you to log your sightings and the community is friendly and helpful.
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
Madstherangers
A mordern game changer
Birda is an awesome app, its updated the world of birding to the modern day with a fun and easy to use app. It’s engaging and allows positive interaction with fellow bird lovers!
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
Erna M
I really like Birda
I really like Birda. I also use other birding apps and have Birda with E-bird going at the same time.
Carl B
Helped me to identify more birds
Love this app and has helped me to identify more birds. The challenges and badges are great for keeping the motivation going to get out and keep birding.
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
Sacha0508
Simply fantastic
I love this app, it puts so much fun into recording the birds I’ve seen and heard while I’m out and about. The interface is user-friendly and suitable for all ages. It’s great to collect badges and to review my “lists”.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.