Jackal+Buzzard

The jackal buzzard, named because of its call which sounds like that of a jackal, is a medium sized bird dark brown to black in color on the surface with a rust orange like colored tail. The primary flight feathers are black with its secondary feathers an off white cream color, both feathers having black mixed in. Right under the chin and around the throat is a chestnut color, and the rest of the underparts covered in a rich rustic orange. Their young are a dark brown to a rust colored orange with speckled spots until they grow up.

The jackal buzzard belongs to the Accipitradae family, classified within the Aves class, and the B. Rufofuscus species. The jackal buzzard is considered a least concern which is good news for the buzzards. The super species for the jackal buzzard has not been agreed upon by all Taxonomists. Some believe they are related to the Archer and Augur buzzards others disagree siting the calls are different, home ranges and variations in plumage.

Jackal buzzards live in the hilly mountainous regions, grasslands, open woodlands, semi deserts any place really that provides for hunting, perching and nesting is ideal for this bird. Although they are one of the few raptors found at an altitude above 3,000 m. The jackal buzzard diet consist of reptiles, other smaller birds, and small ground mammals, insects, lizards even road kill works for this non choosy bird. When mating the female will have just one mate although some jackal buzzards found in Lesotho have been known to have to mates. The female will lay up to three eggs and the male will go hunt for food and bring it to her. The female and only the female will incubate the egg or eggs for about 40 days and the young will stay in the nest built of sticks and twigs lined with grass, lichen and tree leaves. After two months the young will attempt to fly. By day 70 these babies are completely independent. The jackal buzzard only found in Southern Africa, most of which are in South Africa population numbers are high putting them at no immediate threat or danger listing them as a least concern.