Archer's Buzzard
Encyclopedia
The Archer's Buzzard is a 50–55 cm long Africa
n bird of prey
. The taxonomy on this species is confusing, with some taxonomists considering this species, the Jackal Buzzard
, and the Augur Buzzard
to be the same superspecies
. Many taxonomists consider them all to be distinct, having different calls, different home ranges and slight variations in plumage. This is a species of mountains, and adjacent savannah and grassland. It is resident and non-migratory
throughout its range. It is normally found in northern Somalia
.
The adult Archer's Buzzard is strikingly plumaged. It is dark brown above with a dark tail. It has chestnut underparts, and rufous feathers above. It has white throat with black streaking.
Juvenile birds are pale rufous to white below with sparse streaking on the upper breast.
The diet of the Archer's Buzzard is mainly small ground mammals, but snakes, lizards, small ground birds, and insects. Typically, the raptor drops on its prey from a perch or hover.
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n bird of prey
Bird of prey
Birds of prey are birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing, using their keen senses, especially vision. They are defined as birds that primarily hunt vertebrates, including other birds. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing and/or piercing flesh....
. The taxonomy on this species is confusing, with some taxonomists considering this species, the Jackal Buzzard
Jackal Buzzard
The Jackal Buzzard is a 45–55 cm long African bird of prey. The taxonomy on this species is confusing, with some taxonomists considering this species, the Archer's Buzzard, and the Augur Buzzard to be the same superspecies. Many taxonomists consider them all to be distinct, having different...
, and the Augur Buzzard
Augur Buzzard
The Augur Buzzard is a 55–60 cm long African bird of prey. The taxonomy on this species is confusing, with some taxonomists considering this species, the Jackal Buzzard, and the Archer's Buzzard to be the same superspecies. Many taxonomists consider them all to be distinct, having...
to be the same superspecies
Superspecies
A superspecies is a group of at least two more or less distinctive species with approximately parapatric distributions. Not all species complexes, whether cryptices or ring species are superspecies, and vice versa, but many are...
. Many taxonomists consider them all to be distinct, having different calls, different home ranges and slight variations in plumage. This is a species of mountains, and adjacent savannah and grassland. It is resident and non-migratory
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
throughout its range. It is normally found in northern Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
.
The adult Archer's Buzzard is strikingly plumaged. It is dark brown above with a dark tail. It has chestnut underparts, and rufous feathers above. It has white throat with black streaking.
Juvenile birds are pale rufous to white below with sparse streaking on the upper breast.
The diet of the Archer's Buzzard is mainly small ground mammals, but snakes, lizards, small ground birds, and insects. Typically, the raptor drops on its prey from a perch or hover.