Forest Buzzard

The forest buzzard, Buteo trizonatus, is a bird of prey with a stately presence, cloaked in a plumage of brown with rufous edges that vary among individuals. Its underparts are a contrast of whitish hues, adorned with brown spots, while the underwings boast a white canvas with a reddish-brown tinge. The thighs are uniformly reddish-brown, and the upper tail is washed with the same hue, banded with dark brown. This raptor's size ranges from 41 to 48 cm in body length, with a wingspan stretching from 102 to 117 cm.

Identification Tips

To distinguish the forest buzzard, look for the distinctive white 'U' mark on the abdomen amidst the brown blotches. The underwings are marked by a dark comma at the tip of the primary coverts, and the axillary feathers are white with brown barring. The upper tail features narrow dark bands and a broad subterminal band, though the undertail bands may appear indistinct.

Habitat

True to its name, the forest buzzard inhabits evergreen woodlands, including areas with introduced eucalyptus and pines. It is not found in open habitats like its relative, the steppe buzzard.

Distribution

This raptor is endemic to the southern and eastern regions of South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini, forming an arc from the mountains of eastern Limpopo Province through the Drakensberg of Kwazulu-Natal to the Western Cape.

Behaviour

The forest buzzard is a patient predator, often perched, waiting to pounce on its prey along the forest edge or within. It is known to be at least partially migratory, with some individuals traveling significant distances within South Africa.

Breeding

The breeding biology of the forest buzzard is not well-documented, but it is believed to be territorial and monogamous. Nests are large stick structures with green leaves and sometimes beard lichen lining. Breeding occurs from August to November, with eggs laid asynchronously, leading to sibling rivalry and potential starvation of the younger chick if food is scarce.

Conservation status

Once considered threatened, the forest buzzard's status has improved to Near Threatened due to its adaptation to breeding in exotic plantations, which have allowed its population to increase.

Diet and Feeding

The forest buzzard's diet is diverse, including small mammals, birds up to the size of turacos or francolins, reptiles, amphibians, and various insects such as grasshoppers, wasps, beetles, and scorpions.

Similar Species

The forest buzzard is often confused with the steppe buzzard, Buteo buteo vulpinus, due to their similar appearance. However, the steppe buzzard prefers more open habitats and is a summer migrant, whereas the forest buzzard is a resident species.

Taxonomy

The forest buzzard is part of a superspecies complex that includes the common buzzard and the Madagascar buzzard, as well as the mountain buzzard. It is likely that the forest buzzard evolved from the steppe buzzard, which shares its wintering range.