Grey-faced Buzzard

Butastur indicus

Family: Kites, Old World Vultures, Eagles, and Hawks · Status: Uncommon migrant · Size: 41–49 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds from eastern Siberia, northeastern China, Japan to Korea; winters to Southeast Asia. A highly migratory species, it travels mainly along the Pacific coast of Japan through the Ryukyu Islands toward the Philippines and Sundaland.

Identification

Adult has plain greyish-brown upperparts and upper breast, white throat with striking black mesial stripe, and rufous bars on belly and vent. Juvenile has browner upperparts, broad white supercilium, less prominent mesial stripe, and dark streaks on underparts. Long-winged appearance distinguishes it from sparrowhawks and Crested Goshawk.

Habitat

Open country, lightly wooded areas and reclaimed land.