Madagascar Buzzard

Overview

The Madagascar buzzard (Buteo brachypterus) is a bird of prey endemic to Madagascar. It belongs to the widespread genus Buteo within the family Accipitridae and is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• A typical old-world buzzard with a dark grey head, yellow eyes, and a black bill featuring a greyish-blue cere.
• Distinctive plumage includes a white breast patch, spotted brownish-white vent and thighs, and a tail marked with broad brownish-black bars.
• Pale yellow legs and feet.
• The species exhibits significant variability in plumage.

Habitat

This adaptable raptor is found in a wide variety of habitats across Madagascar, including forest, open woodland, regenerating secondary forest, and rocky hillsides up to 2300 metres above sea level. Although common in the country, it is less frequent on the deforested central plateau, though its population may be increasing as forests become fragmented.

Diet

An opportunistic hunter, it consumes a wide variety of prey such as small mammals, birds, lizards, snakes, frogs, terrestrial crabs, and other large arthropods. Observations of lemurs, particularly the ruffed lemur and Verreaux's sifaka, making alarm calls suggest that the buzzard occasionally preys on young lemurs.

Did you know?

During the breeding season, the older sibling chick usually kills the younger one, meaning that only very rarely are two chicks raised to fledging. The female begins incubation as soon as the first of her 1–2 eggs is laid, rather than waiting for the entire clutch.