Long-legged Buzzard

Buteo rufinus (Cretzschmar, 1827)

		adult in flight juvenile dark morph
2010-05-09 Itzhon plateau, right Ile river, Almaty oblast 2010-05-20 Itzhon plateau, right Ile river, Almaty oblast2006-07-23 Jangala region, West Kazakhstan oblast2013-08-31 Akmolinsk region, Zhumay	© Askar Isabekov © Askar Isabekov© Askar Isabekov© Gennadiy Dyakin

Distribution

Breeds in southern part of Kazakhstan, in north to Kamysh-Samar lakes, Aktau mountains in Utva-Ilek region, Tersek pine forest in Naurzum Reserve, Aktobe, Karaganda, in Shortandy area, Kyzyltau Mts. at Zhosaly village, Semipalatinsk area and Zaysan depression. Summering and dispersing birds observed to the north. Widespread on migration in the above areas. Stray bird observed on Markakol lake 28 May 1983. Wintering in south of the Republic.

Biology

Common breeding migrant. Inhabits the deserts, dry steppes, low xerophytic mountains and foothills. Appears in the end of February - early March, peak of migration is in end of March – mid-April. At Chokpak Pass the last spring birds observed in mid-May. Nest is built on rocks and on trees or bushes (saxaul, asian elm, tamarisk), on electricity poles and other human constructions, and on steep hill slopes; nest is built from the dry twigs and grass stems, and is lined with old grass, hair, rags etc. Nests are used for some years, and repaired by both birds each season. Clutches of 2-5 eggs is in April – May. Incubation begins from first egg laying and continues about 40 days. Chicks hatch in end of May – June. Both parents feed juveniles, which begin to fly in the end of June – early August. Autumn migration at Chokpak Pass begins in mid-August – early September; a lot of birds observed in October (416 Long-legged Buzzard were counted 19 October 1969 between 09.50 - 11.00). Latest birds observed in mid November.

Subspecies

	Buteo rufinus rufinus (Cretzschmar, 1827)
	Buteo (rufinus) montanus (Pfander, 2013) Description. There are known hybrids of Long-legged Buzzards (Buteo rufinus) with the Upland Buzzard (Buteo hemilasius). Hybridization zone in the mountainous regions of the South-East Kazakhstan - from Tarbagatai, through the Dzungarian Alatau, Ketmen, to the Northern Tien Shan, including the Trans-Ili Alatau.

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.