Long-legged Buzzard

Highly variable. Typically features a pale head and neck, cinnamon-buff breast, and dark belly patches. The tail is often pale orange or reddish-brown without distinct barring. Juveniles are streakier and lack the dark belly.

Pale head and chest contrasting with dark belly patches; unbarred reddish-orange tail; large size with long primary feathers.

Length: 50-65 cm; Wingspan: 115-160 cm; Weight: 600-1,700 g.

A typical Buteo 'mewing' call, high-pitched and similar to the Common Buzzard but often deeper: 'peee-yooo'.

Primarily small mammals (voles, ground squirrels, hamsters), but also takes lizards, snakes, large insects, and occasionally small birds.

Open, dry areas including steppes, semi-deserts, stony plains, and mountain foothills.

Partial migrant; northern populations move south to Africa and South Asia in winter, while southern populations are year-round residents.

Builds large stick nests on cliffs, in trees, or occasionally on the ground. Lays 2-4 eggs; both parents participate in nesting duties.

Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) - Long-legged is larger, has a paler head and a reddish, unbarred tail. Rough-legged Buzzard - has feathered legs and different tail markings.

Apex predator that controls populations of small mammals, reptiles, and large insects; helps maintain balance in arid and semi-arid ecosystems.

Least Concern (IUCN); population is generally stable.

Look for them perched on utility poles, rocks, or trees in open country. They are often seen soaring on thermals with wings held in a slight 'V' (dihedral).

The 'long-legged' name refers to its relatively long tarsi compared to other buzzards, an adaptation for catching prey in open, sparsely vegetated habitats.