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:

Small, stocky, white heron with short bill and neck. Heavy jowl. Plumage all white, except in breeding birds which show varying amount of buff on back, crown and chest. Bill usually yellow, but turns orange-red in breeding birds, and is dark in immatures. Legs pale greyish green, but darker in young birds. May be confused with both Little Egret and Squacco Heron in flight. Differs from Little Egret in leg color and shorter, thicker neck and bill. Told from Squacco Heron by unstreaked body/head, and smaller bill. Generally leaves a less elegant impression than other small herons.

Sound:

Usually silent away from breeding ground. In the colonies a chorus of various coarse sounds can be heard. Most distinct is a disyllabic "rick-rack". Other sounds includes short, guttural utterings, or drawn, harsh shrieks.

Contact calls:

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