The Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) is a large, eagle-like raptor native to dry steppes, deserts, and open country across southeastern Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. Known for its distinct reddish plumage and prominent black patches on its underwings, it primarily hunts by scanning the ground from high vantage points.
Physical ProfileSize: Length of 50–58 cm; they are noticeably larger than the common buzzard and often recall small eagles.
Wingspan: 130–155 cm.Plumage: Highly variable (ranging from pale beige to dark rust-brown). They generally feature a rusty tail, a streaked head, and striking dark "carpal" patches at the wrists of their underwings.
Sexual Dimorphism: Females are larger and up to 15% heavier than males, averaging up to 1.3 kg.
Habitat & DistributionRange: Found from North Africa and southeastern Europe eastward through central Asia to China and India.
European Expansion: The African subspecies (Buteo rufinus cirtensis) has been naturally expanding its range northward into southern Europe (including parts of Spain and Italy) due to warming climatic conditions.
Habitat: They prefer open, uncultivated areas, scrublands, and deserts, and will build nests on cliffs, rocky outcrops, or occasionally tall trees.
Diet & Hunting StyleDiet: Consists primarily of small mammals and rodents, though they will also eat reptiles (lizards, snakes), small birds, and large insects.
Hunting Method: They often hunt from prominent perches like utility poles or low hillocks. They are also known to actively waddle along the ground searching for prey or waiting by animal burrows.
Breeding & Lifespan
Breeding Season: Lays clutches of 2–4 white eggs with reddish-brown markings between March and May.Incubation: Eggs are incubated for about 28 days.
Fledging: Chicks are ready to fly from the nest in about 45 days.Lifespan:
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