Buteo refectus
The majestic Himalayan Buzzard, *Buteo refectus*, is a medium-large raptor native to the rugged mountain ranges of Asia. It typically measures 45-55 cm (18-22 inches) in length with an impressive wingspan of 110-130 cm (43-51 inches), weighing between 600-1100 grams (1.3-2.4 lbs). Its plumage is notably variable, ranging from rich dark brown to paler, sandier tones dorsally, often with distinct white mottling or barring on the underparts. Key identification features include broad, rounded win...
This raptor primarily inhabits high-altitude coniferous and broadleaf forests, interspersed with open grasslands and rocky slopes, typically found between 1,000 to over 4,500 meters (3,300-14,800 feet) elevation.
An opportunistic predator, its diet primarily consists of small mammals like pikas, marmots, and voles, alongside birds, reptiles, and large insects, hunted through perch-hunting or soaring and stooping.
The Himalayan Buzzard is a diurnal hunter, often seen soaring effortlessly on thermals for hours, scanning the rugged landscape below for prey. Its primary foraging strategies involve classic 'perch-and-pounce' from a prominent tree or cliff edge, as well as high-altitude kiting and stooping with...
The Himalayan Buzzard's primary breeding range spans the vast and rugged Himalayan mountain system and adjacent ranges. This includes territories across northern Pakistan, India (from Kashmir eastward through Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh), Nepal, Bhutan, and into southwestern China (Tib...
Least Concern
- The Himalayan Buzzard exhibits remarkable adaptations to high-altitude living, including a larger lung capacity and efficient oxygen uptake. - Its eyesight is exceptionally keen, allowing it to spot small prey from hundreds of meters above the ground while soaring. - Plumage coloration can vary...