Rough-legged Buzzard

Buteo lagopus (Pontoppidan, 1763)

Зимняк | Айнақанат тілеміш

adult

in flight

2014-01-02
Semipalatinsk

Distribution

Everywhere in Kazakhstan occurs only on dispersals and wintering.

Biology

Common winter visitor. Occurs in open landscapes in steppe and desert zones, in areas with presence of prominence such as poles, trees or stacks. Twice observed in highlands of Zailiyskiy Alatau, Bolshoye Almatinskoye lake (15 December 1974 and 8 January 1975). In autumn occasionally appears in the end of September, but mainly in October or early November, autumn migration isn't apparently visible. Spring migration is more noticeable; begins in the end of February – March, most birds observed in late March – early April. Latest birds observed in the end of April.

Subspecies

Buteo lagopus lagopus (Pontoppidan, 1763)

Description. Dark race. Dominant colour of upper parts is dark-brown, sometimes black-brown. Edges of mantle feathers and scapulars are usually grey. Under parts are dark. Streaks on throat and craw are brownish and slightly developed. Feathers of belly, flanks and leg feathers are usually dark-brown with light-barred. Tail-bands are dense, black-brown and usually range to base of tail. Male wing length 406-438 (418), female 426-468 (444) mm.
Distribution. Winters in Kazakhstan; the range of distribution isn't explored.

Buteo lagopus menzbieri (Dementiev, 1951)

Description. Light race. Dominant colour of upper parts is light brown. Edges of feathers on mante and scapulars are usually whitish. Under parts lighter, the streaks on throat and craw slightly developed. Feathers on belly, flanks and legs are light dark-barred. Tail-bands are narrower and rarer, base of tail feathers is white. Male wing length 416-450 (434), female 435-470 (451) mm.
Distribution. Winters in Kazakhstan; the range of distribution isn't explored.

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург. Изд-во Уральского университета, 2000.