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 and compact, brown warbler with strong supercilium and streaked back. Crown dark with faint streaking, contrasting with broad supercilium. Rump unstreaked and warmer brown than back and tail. Juveniles with faintly streaked chest. Long primary projection. Body shorter and more compact than Reed Warbler. Easiest Achrocephalus to see in the region. Often sings from exposed branch or reed, is inquisitive and not very shy.

Sound:

Alarm call a hard "check". Anxiety call a dry and rolling "rrrrr". Song vigorous and varied. A mixture of musical sounds, expert mimicry and characteristic harsh and strident calls. Not as rhythmic and evenly paced as Reed Warbler, but varies tempo a lot.

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