Red-necked Buzzard

The Red-necked Buzzard, Buteo auguralis, also known as the African Red-tailed Buzzard, is a medium-sized raptor with a striking rufous neck that extends over the crown and onto the upper back. The upperparts are predominantly blackish, with rufous upper tail feathers marked by a black subterminal bar. The underparts are primarily white, with a dark throat and dark flank blotches. Juveniles are similar to adults but have browner upperparts and creamier underparts, lacking the dark throat.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Red-necked Buzzard, look for the distinctive rufous neck and crown, as well as the contrasting blackish upperparts and white underparts with dark markings. The black subterminal bar on the rufous tail is also a key feature. Juveniles may be distinguished by their overall browner appearance and the absence of a dark throat.

Habitat

This buzzard favors forest edges and clearings, including those within secondary and primary forests. It can also be found in cultivated areas but is generally absent from dense lowland rainforest habitats. It is known to inhabit elevations up to 2,500 meters.

Distribution

The species is found across a broad band from Mauritania south to Liberia, then eastwards to Ethiopia and Uganda, and south along the Gulf of Guinea coast through Gabon to the Democratic Republic of Congo and northeastern Angola.

Behaviour

The Red-necked Buzzard typically hunts from a perch, scanning the ground for prey before diving down in a swoop to capture it. It is a generalist predator, feeding on a wide variety of small animals including rodents, birds, lizards, snakes, and arthropods, with a particular fondness for termites.

Breeding

Pairs of Red-necked Buzzards build stick nests in the upper forks of large forest trees, on cliff ledges, or on pylons, often reusing the same site in successive years. Clutch sizes are usually one or two eggs. In the northern part of its range, eggs are likely laid from November to January, while in the south, young have been observed in nests as late as August.

Conservation status

The Red-necked Buzzard is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of widespread decline.