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:

Very similar to Treecreeper C. familiaris, and id by sound generally easier than by appearance in areas where both species occur. Primaries with small, almost pure white tips restricted to outer web. Hind-claw shorter than hind-toe. Wing-bar usually with even "steps", but often difficult to determine. Underparts less white and more brownish than in continental C. familiaris (which again is browner than the pure white northern subspecies). Bill longer and with a stronger curved tip.

Sound:

Contact call very similar to C. familiaris. A thin "sreee" often repeated in an even rhythm, perhaps with slighly shorter pauses. Flight call a short and sharp "wit" used freely when moving about. Song diagnostic, and introductory notes often used singly when interacting. Full song starts with one or two staccato introductory notes, the first higher pitched than the second, followed by a rapid, ascending crescendo ending in a drawn-out, less pure "sree". The tone is loud and much more penetrating and clear than C. familiaris. Timbre recalls wet rubber-boots on vinyl flooring. Note that "mixed singers" of C. familiaris are not uncommon in areas where both species of treecreepers occur.

Song:

Distribution:

Xeno-canto: map

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

CC-photo:Agustín Povedano, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:Agustín Povedano, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:Mickaël Dia, Licence,Link.