Augur Buzzard

Identification

The augur buzzard is a large, striking African raptor measuring 48 to 60 cm in length with an impressive wingspan of 120 to 150 cm. Adults are unmistakable in their typical plumage: blackish-brown upperparts contrasting sharply with whitish underparts and an orange-red tail that stands out vividly in flight. The primary flight feathers are blackish while the secondaries are off-white, both barred with black. From below, the flight feathers are white with dark trailing edges, and the underwing coverts are rich rufous. Females display black on the lower throat.

Juveniles are considerably duller, appearing mainly brown above and rufous-brown below, which may cause confusion with migratory steppe buzzards, though augur buzzards are notably larger and bulkier with broader wings and heavier flight. A melanistic form exists in about 10 percent of the population overall—rising to 50 percent in some forested, high-rainfall areas—appearing almost entirely black except for contrasting grey and white barred flight feathers and a chestnut tail.

Range & Habitat

The augur buzzard is distributed across eastern and southwestern Africa, from Ethiopia and eastern Sudan south through Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, extending into Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola, and central Namibia. Despite this wide and somewhat scattered range, the species is often common within its territories. It is resident and non-migratory throughout its range.

This species favours open or lightly wooded upland areas, with most East African populations occurring between 1,500 and 4,600 m elevation, though birds have been recorded at altitudes up to 5,000 m in Ethiopia. Augur buzzards hunt in elevated savanna grasslands, high open moorland, inland cliffs, cropland, open forest edges, and desert margins, and can even range into lowland deserts at sea level, as seen in Namibia.

Behaviour & Diet

Augur buzzards are generalist predators with a typical buteonine hunting strategy, predominantly taking small mammals supplemented by reptiles and birds. Pairs perform noisy aerial displays both during and outside the breeding season, during which they produce their distinctive harsh, resonant call—quite unlike that of their jackal buzzard cousins or most other raptors. The vocalisation is a crow-like a-kow a-kow a-kow or a-ung a-ung a-ung, becoming more drawn out and emphatic as aerial displays intensify.

Best Time & Places to See It

As a resident species with no migratory movements, augur buzzards can be encountered year-round throughout their African range. The highlands of Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and the mountain regions of southern Africa—particularly in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia—offer excellent opportunities for sightings. Look for them soaring over elevated grasslands, moorland, and cliffside habitats during daylight hours, particularly in mid-morning when thermal activity is strongest.

Photography Tips

The augur buzzard's bold plumage makes it highly photogenic, especially adults with their striking contrast between dark upperparts and white underparts. Photograph soaring birds against clear skies to capture the dramatic rufous tail and the distinctive white underwings with dark trailing edges. Early morning and late afternoon light enhances the warm tones of the rufous underparts and tail. When photographing from a distance, use a telephoto lens to capture head detail and the characteristic facial expression. Remember that juveniles and melanistic morphs require different identification features, so varied documentation is valuable for wildlife records.