Biology
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Little is currently known about this species' biology. Although normally solitary, during the dry season red-necked buzzards may form small groups, which migrate to the more southerly parts of the species' range, such as Gabon (2) (4).
This red-necked buzzard's usual hunting technique is to sit in wait on a perch scanning the ground, before swooping rapidly down and snatching its prey with its large, pointed talons (2).
Conservation
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While there are currently no conservation measures in place for the red-necked buzzard (1), it does occur within a number of protected areas (4) (5). If properly managed, these areas should help to maintain strongholds for this species, as a safeguard against the expansion of human settlements, and the accompanying increase in logging and hunting pressure, for many years to come (4) (5).
Description
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Appropriately named, the most distinguishing feature of this medium-sized bird of prey is the striking reddish-brown colouration of the neck, which extends over the crown and down to the upper back. The rest of the red-necked buzzard's upperparts are mainly blackish, except for the tail feathers which are also reddish-brown and marked with a blackish bar just before the tail tips. In contrast to the dark upperparts, the breast is mainly bright white, becoming dark brown towards the throat, and marked with an irregular patterning of dark blotches extending to the flanks. The juvenile resembles the adult, except for the colouration of the upperparts which are lighter, and the breast, which is cream rather than white and lacks the darker plumage around the throat. While soaring, the red-necked buzzard makes a loud, mewing scream, peee-ah (2).
Habitat
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Occupying a range of habitats, the red-necked buzzard can be found in plantations, farmland, savannah, woodland, and forest edges up to elevations of 2,500 metres (2).
Range
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The red-necked buzzard has an extensive range, encompassing a broad band running from Mauritania down to Liberia in the west, and across to Ethiopia and Uganda in the east. It is also found along the coast of West Africa, including Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and north-eastern Angola (1) (2).
Status
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Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1) and listed on Appendix II of CITES (3).
Threats
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At present, there are no specific threats to the red-necked buzzard, and its population is estimated to be between 10,000 and 100,000 individuals (1). Nevertheless, it is likely to be affected by the deforestation which is occurring in many parts of its range (2).
Red-necked buzzard
provided by wikipedia EN
The red-necked buzzard (Buteo auguralis), also known as the African red-tailed buzzard,[2] is a species of buzzard in the family Accipitridae which is found in western and northern central Africa.
Description
The red-necked buzzard is a medium-sized bird of prey with a distinctive rufous neck, the rufous colour extends up over the crown and down on to the upper back. The rest of the upperparts are mostly blackish, except for the rufous upper tail feathers which has a black subterminal bar. The underparts are mainly white, apart from a dark throat and dark blotches which extend along the flanks. Juveniles resemble the adults, but have a browner upperparts, creamy rather than white underparts and lack the dark throat.[3]
Distribution and movements
The red-necked buzzard occurs in a broad band running from Mauritania south to Liberia then eastwards to Ethiopia and Uganda, as well as south along the Gulf of Guinea coast through Gabon to the Democratic Republic of Congo and north-eastern Angola.[3]
The red-necked buzzard is a partial migrant, the northern populations may be completely migrant which leave the savanna following the rains and spend the dry season to the south along the edge of the main forest zone.[4]
Habitat
The red-necked buzzard prefers forest edges and clearings, including those within secondary and primary forests but it occurs in cultivated areas and is generally absent from the main areas of lowland rainforest[4] up to an altitude of 2,500 metres.[5]
Habits
The red-necked buzzard normally hunts by sitting in wait on a perch, scanning the ground for prey which is caught by a swooping dive down on to the prey. It is a generalist hunter and the prey taken consists of a wide variety of small animals including rodents, birds, lizards and snakes, as well as arthropods and especially termites.[5]
This species builds a stick nest which is situated in the upper fork of a large forest tree, on cliff ledges or on pylons, pairs will utilise same nest site in successive years. The clutch size is normally one or two eggs, which are probably laid in November to January in the northern part of its range and later in the south, where young have been seen in the nest in August.[4]
References
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Red-necked buzzard: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The red-necked buzzard (Buteo auguralis), also known as the African red-tailed buzzard, is a species of buzzard in the family Accipitridae which is found in western and northern central Africa.
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- Wikipedia authors and editors
