Rufus-winged buzzard
| Rufous-winged Buzzard | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom Information | |
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Subkingdom | Bilateria |
| Branch | Deuterostomia |
| Phylum Information | |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Sub-phylum | Vertebrata |
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata |
| Class Information | |
| Superclass | Tetrapoda |
| Class | Aves |
| Sub-class | Neornithes |
| Infra-class | Neoaves |
| Order Information | |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Sub-order | Accipitres |
| Family Information | |
| Superfamily | Accipitroidea |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Sub-family | Buteoninae |
| Genus Information | |
| Genus | Butastur |
| Species Information | |
| Species | B. liventer |
| Population statistics | |
| Population | 670-6,700 (2016 est.)[1] |
| Conservation status | Least concern[2] |
The rufous-winged buzzard (Butastur liventer) is a species of bird of prey of the family Accipitridae, and found over much of southeast Asia.
Description
The rufous-winged buzzard is medium-sized, about 13.6 to 16.5 inches long, with a wingspan of 33.1 to 35.8 inches, and weigh 11.8 to 12 ounces. Females are slightly larger than males. Above, it is brown in color with dark blotches; the long and rather pointed wings are rufous-brown, hence the name. The lower body is paler, the head and neck are brownish gray, while the chin, throat, and chest are gray. The tail is long, slim, straight cut, and shares the same rufous coloration as the wings. Yellow colors the iris, beak (with a black tip), and legs.
The call is a double-noted "pit-piu", made both in flight and perched[3].
Range and habitat
It is found in southeastern China, southeast Asia, and on the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi, and Java. It inhabits open dry forests at or near the banks of rivers or swamps, usually in lowland forests with altitudes below 2,400 feet elevation.
Threats
Loss of habitat has been cited as a reason for the decline of numbers, yet despite an extremely small population, the ICUN has classified this bird as "least concern", in part due to its large range and ability to take advantage of human-caused habitat degradation and conversion to farmland[4].
References
- Ferguson-Lees, J. and Christie, D.A. Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London (2001).
