Augur Buzzard

The Augur Buzzard, a fairly large bird of prey from Africa, is a striking figure in the avian world. Adults are characterized by a blackish back, a contrasting whitish underside, and an orange-red tail. Juveniles, on the other hand, display a more uniform brown plumage. A dark morph also exists, rendering the bird's body a darker shade overall.

Identification Tips

To identify the Augur Buzzard, look for the adult's almost black brown upperparts and rufous tail, which is quite distinctive. The underparts are a rich rufous, with white flight feathers barred with black. Juveniles are brown above with a rufous brown underside and tail, and can be distinguished from similar species by their larger size, bulkier build, and broader wings.

Habitat

This raptor favors mountains, typically around 2,000 meters in altitude, but can be found up to 5,000 meters. It also inhabits adjacent savannahs and grasslands, demonstrating a preference for elevated open areas.

Distribution

The Augur Buzzard is a resident species, non-migratory across its range, which spans from Ethiopia to southern Angola and central Namibia.

Behaviour

Known for their noisy aerial displays, Augur Buzzards are monogamous, often mating for life, though instances of polygamy have been observed. They build large stick nests in trees or on crags, which are reused and expanded over time.

Song & Calls

The call of the Augur Buzzard is a distinctive, resonant crow-like sound, varying from a-kow a-kow a-kow to a more drawn-out a-waaa a-waaa a-waaa during intense aerial displays.

Breeding

The female lays on average two creamy or bluish white eggs, which she incubates alone. The male provides food during this period. Chicks hatch after about 40 days and become independent around 70 days post-hatching.

Diet and Feeding

Augur Buzzards are generalist predators, primarily hunting small mammals and reptiles such as snakes and lizards. They hunt by swooping from a perch or soaring flight, and occasionally forage on the ground for insects and small vertebrates.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Augur Buzzard as Least Concern, indicating a stable population across its range.