Birdwatch: Long-legged Buzzards are winter visitors found aplenty in Morni, Kasauli hills
Found from southeastern Europe to East Africa and in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, Long-legged Buzzards are solitary birds.
The long-legged buzzard is believed to be a sluggish prey bird but hunts vigorously, consuming rodents, small mammals, reptiles, small birds and carrion. (Express) The Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) is a bird of prey. Besides possessing long, thin, bare legs, it has a long bill on a small head, extended wings and a long tail in contrast to the size of its middle body.
The overall length of the bird is 61 cm. Long-legged Buzzards are solitary birds, but are occasionally found in lone pairs. They are not very vocal and the male and female are alike. Its identification marks include a pale head and breast, contrasting with a chestnut belly and thin bare legs, besides a rufous edge to its white tail.
In the Inter-State Chandigarh Region (ISCR), this buzzard – a member of genus Buteo – is a winter visitor. They are found aplenty in rocky areas including Morni hills and Kasauli hills. Shrubs and cultivation are ideal habitats. However, the bird is adaptable and can nest in rocks, cliffs and even trees depending on the situation.
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