white eyed buzzard

The White-eyed Buzzard (Butastur teesa) is a distinctive medium-sized hawk native to South Asia. While it shares the name 'buzzard,' it is taxonomically separate from the true buzzards found in the genus Buteo. This slim raptor is a common sight in the plains, often recognized by its unique facial features and upright perching posture.

Measuring between 43-43 cm, this hawk is easily identified by its striking white iris and a white throat marked with a dark mesial stripe. Adults feature a rufous tail, a brown head, and yellow ceres. In flight, the wings appear rounded with black tips and a pale bar on the upper wing, while the wing lining appears dark in contrast to the flight feathers. Unlike true buzzards, they lack carpal patches on the underside of their wings.

The White-eyed Buzzard primarily inhabits dry open land, open forests, and cultivated fields. It is widely distributed across the plains of South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. While it is mostly a lowland bird, it can be found at altitudes up to 1200 meters in the Himalayan foothills.

This raptor is a generalist predator with a diverse diet that includes:

• Insects: Locusts, grasshoppers, and crickets.
• Small Vertebrates: Small birds, mammals, reptiles, and frogs.
• Other: Crabs and various invertebrates.

During the breeding season, the White-eyed Buzzard becomes highly vociferous. Several birds may be heard calling together as they soar on thermals. They typically build stick nests in trees, and uniquely, their fledgelings are reddish brown, unlike the white downy chicks of most other raptors.

These birds are known for sitting upright on perches for long periods while searching for prey. They are also skilled at soaring on thermals. They are resident birds in most of their range, though they are considered summer visitors in parts of northeastern Afghanistan. Their behavior is characterized by their loud calls during the mating season.

While the species is widely distributed, some populations have shown signs of decline. In the late 1950s, surveys in the Delhi region estimated a density of about 0.1 birds per square kilometer. They are currently absent from Sri Lanka and the Andaman Islands.

1. Despite its name, it is not a member of the Buteo genus (true buzzards).
2. The white iris is one of its most reliable identification features in the field.
3. Fledgelings are reddish-brown, which is a rare trait among raptor chicks.
4. A potential new form of this species has been recorded as far away as the Greater Sundas in Indonesia.
5. When perched, their wing tips almost reach the very tip of their tail.

• Look for them on exposed perches like telegraph wires or bare tree branches in open fields.
• Listen for their distinct calls during the breeding season to locate soaring groups.
• Use binoculars to check for the yellow ceres and the dark mesial stripe on the throat for positive ID.
• Distinguish them from the Grey-faced Buzzard by looking for the lack of a white supercilium in adults.

The White-eyed Buzzard is a fascinating and essential part of the South Asian ecosystem. Its unique physical characteristics, such as the white iris and rufous tail, make it a rewarding subject for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts exploring the dry forests and agricultural lands of the subcontinent.