This was one of the most common raptors in the area. The dark throat suggests this is an adult female. Males have
a white throat. This species occurs in two color morphs. About 10% are reported to be dark morph such as this,
but in some wetter areas the percentage may be much higher. Unlike some hawks, there are no intermediate morphs.
They are either light or dark. All adults have a very short red tail.
Some authors lump the Augur Buzzard with Archer's Buzzard (B. archeri) of northern Somalia considering it
to be a rufous morph of Augur (Clark 1996). However such a relationship is not supported by genetic studies (Riesing
et al 2003). Formerly Augur Buzzard was lumped with the Jackal Buzzard (B. rufofuscus) of Southern Africa.
Current thinking is that all three may form a superspecies.
References:
- Riesing et al. 2003. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 27:328-342 [PDF]
- Clark, W. S. 1996. The validity of Archer's Buzzard as a species. J. Afr. Raptor Biol. 11:11-13 [PDF]
- Clark, W. S. 2003. Specimen of rufous-morph Augur Buzzard Buteo augur in Zimbabwe. Bull. Af. Bird Club 10:107-108
Nikon P510 Coolpix Point-and-shoot