Appearance:

A large buzzard with variable plumage. Typical traits are: White, almost translucent base of primaries in contrast to black tips, defined black trailing edge to flight-feathers, almost unbarred rufous tail, pale head, dark "trousers", dark carpal patches and rufous under wing-coverts. Due to long wings, the flight profile is most similar to Rough-legged Buzzard, and a combination of structural and plumage characters should be used to tell it apart from Common Buzzard. The subspecies cirtensis (N. Africa, Sinai) has less marked carpal patches and is smaller than the nominate. Immature birds shows more barring on tail and less marked trailing edge to wing. Soars with wings raised to a V, as opposed to the very similar dark morph of Common Buzzard B.b.vulpinus. Flight action heavier and more eagle-like than Buzzard. Often perches on ground.

Sound:

Similar to Rough-legged Buzzard, but softer toned.

Call:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

Appearance:

Unmistakable in its habitat. Found by waterfalls and fast running streams. A compact and bulky bird with short wings and tail. Plumage black with brownish head (some with brown belly). Most conspicuous feature is the shiny white throat and chest. Juveniles grey instead of black, with dark barring. Constantly bobbing up and down with drooping wings when perched. White eyelid clearly visible when blinking.

Sound:

Contact call a short, metallic and explosive "zrreet", often betraying its presence perched among boulders or when flying up and down a stream. Song a mid tempo, staccato improvisation on contact call-like sounds. Not unlike a budgerigar. Both sexes sing, the female less melodic and more staccato than the male.

Song:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC