Appearance:

A large buzzard with variable plumage. Typical traits are: White, almost translucent base of primaries in contrast to black tips, defined black trailing edge to flight-feathers, almost unbarred rufous tail, pale head, dark "trousers", dark carpal patches and rufous under wing-coverts. Due to long wings, the flight profile is most similar to Rough-legged Buzzard, and a combination of structural and plumage characters should be used to tell it apart from Common Buzzard. The subspecies cirtensis (N. Africa, Sinai) has less marked carpal patches and is smaller than the nominate. Immature birds shows more barring on tail and less marked trailing edge to wing. Soars with wings raised to a V, as opposed to the very similar dark morph of Common Buzzard B.b.vulpinus. Flight action heavier and more eagle-like than Buzzard. Often perches on ground.

Sound:

Similar to Rough-legged Buzzard, but softer toned.

Call:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

Appearance:

A small, tubby and compact owl with long legs, yellow eyes and stern expression. Head without tufts or any sharp corners, proportionally smaller than in Tengmalm's Owl, and without large, white facial discs. Upperparts greyish brown to buff, with boldest white spots of any small owl in the region. Underparts whitish with heavy, brown streaking. Flight characteristic, with alternating wing flapping and closed wings. Runs, or even hops along the ground. Posture mostly erect, but hunched when in alarm.

Sound:

Song a clear drawn "klooit" resembling Scops Owl, but with different intonation and longer single notes. Tone rises slowly in pitch throughout the call and ends with marked raised pitch, often with a change in timbre to a coarse shriek. Rich repertoire of social sounds: E.g. a clear "klewew", and sharp short "kek kek kek".

Song, contact call:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC