Grasshopper buzzard

Grasshopper Buzzard
Scientific classification
Kingdom Information
Domain	Eukaryota
Kingdom	Animalia
Subkingdom	Bilateria
Branch	Deuterostomia
Phylum Information
Phylum	Chordata
Sub-phylum	Vertebrata
Infraphylum	Gnathostomata
Class Information
Superclass	Tetrapoda
Class	Aves
Sub-class	Neornithes
Infra-class	Neoaves
Order Information
Order	Accipitriformes
Sub-order	Accipitres
Family Information
Superfamily	Accipitroidea
Family	Accipitridae
Sub-family	Buteoninae
Genus Information
Genus	Butastur
Species Information
Species	B. rufipennis
Population statistics
Population	20,000-49,999 (2016 est.)
Conservation status	Least concern

The grasshopper buzzard (Butastur rufipennis) is a species of bird of prey of the family Accipitridae, and the only species of the genus Butastur that occurs in Africa.

Description

The grasshopper buzzard is small, with a body length of 12 to 14 inches, a wingspan of 35 inches, and weigh 11 to 13 ounces; females are similar to males, but weigh slightly more. The bird is rather slender and looks more like a kestrel perched in the distance and a gray harrier in flight. The upper body and upper wing coverts are gray-brown, with the head sometimes being reddish brown. When the wings are unfolded there is a sharp contrast in color between the outer half of the wing, which is reddish-brown tipped in black, and the inner half, which is gray tipped in black. The underside of the body is light red-brown, streaked in with short dark stripes, while the underside of the wings are whitish with dark baring on the secondaries, and mottled on the coverts. Juveniles are predominately light reddish brown overall, with gray upper wing coverts; striping is restricted to a pair a dark stripes below the face.

The call is a loud chattering "ki-ki-ki-ki-keee" during the breeding season, or a call reminiscent of an owl or mourning dove.

Range and habitat

The grasshopper buzzard is found in sub-Saharan Africa, from Mauritania south to Sierra Leone in western Africa, eastward to the Horn of Africa, and south to Tanzania; occasional sightings have occurred in eastern Congo, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. It is found within semi-desert and savanna, marked with sparse trees such as acacias.

Diet

They are quite social, and can be seen in groups of up to 100 individuals during locust swarms or at the edge of forest fires, taking advantage of prey animals that have been flushed out by the fire. During the breeding season prey animals consist of reptiles, frogs, rodents and small birds.

Threats

The grasshopper buzzard has been classified by the ICUN as "least concern", in part due to its large range and subsistence on locusts. The size of the population is not quantified but appears to be declining in number; however, the pace is believed to be below 30% within a ten year period (less than 3.5% per year), and one analysis has projected the bird to increase its range. Agriculture, cattle grazing, and pesticide use are considered threats.