Two Raptors - Tanzania

KevinA

Well-Known Member
Wikipedia
"The martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) is a large eagle native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is the only member of the genus Polemaetus. A species of the booted eagle subfamily (Aquilinae), it has feathering over its tarsus. One of the largest and most powerful species of booted eagle, it is a fairly opportunistic predator that varies its prey selection between mammals, birds and reptiles. It is one of few eagle species known to hunt primarily from a high soar, by stooping on its quarry. An inhabitant of wooded belts of otherwise open savanna, this species has shown a precipitous decline in the last few centuries due to a variety of factors. The martial eagle is one of the most persecuted bird species in the world. Due to its habit of taking livestock and regionally valuable game, local farmers and game wardens frequently seek to eliminate martial eagles, although the effect of eagles on this prey is almost certainly considerably exaggerated. Currently, the martial eagle is classified with the status of Endangered by the IUCN."

Martial Eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus juv.
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Martial Eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus juv.
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Wikipedia
"The augur buzzard (Buteo augur) is a fairly large African bird of prey. This species is distinct in typical adult plumage for its blackish back, whitish underside and orange-red tail, while juvenile augur buzzards are generally rather brown in colour; however, a dark morph is known, which causes the bird's entire body to become darker. This member of the Buteo genus is distributed in several parts of the central and southern Africa, normally being found from Ethiopia to southern Angola and central Namibia. It is resident and non-migratory throughout its range. This is a species of mountains (most typically at about 2,000 m (6,600 ft) altitude, but up to 5,000 m (16,000 ft)), and adjacent savannah and grassland. This is a typical buteonine raptor, being a generalist predator which tends to prefer small mammals supplemented by reptiles and birds among various prey items."
Augur Buzzard, Buteo augur
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Darcy Grizzle

Well-Known Member
The buzzard looks more like a Cooper's Hawk than a buzzard to me, wonder why they call it a buzzard? Both photo's are just wonderful images of these raptors.
 

AlanLichty

Moderator
Beautiful pair of bird images with interesting back stories. Like Darcy I am scratching my head over a buzzard that looks and sounds more like a raptor. I love the markings on the martial eagle.
 

JimFox

Moderator
Staff member
Wow! I have never seen a raptor like in #1 before. That eagle looks like it has some snow owl in it. Great job!
 

KevinA

Well-Known Member
The buzzard looks more like a Cooper's Hawk than a buzzard to me, wonder why they call it a buzzard? Both photo's are just wonderful images of these raptors.
Thanks Darcy. Looks like a Buzzard to me, but I'm from the other side of the pond, so Cooper's are foreign to me. It is a juvenile bird though.

Beautiful pair of bird images with interesting back stories. Like Darcy I am scratching my head over a buzzard that looks and sounds more like a raptor. I love the markings on the martial eagle.
Thank you Alan. Buzzards are raptors. From Wikipedia "Birds of prey or predatory birds, also known as raptors, are hypercarnivorous bird species that actively hunt and feed on other vertebrates (mainly mammals, reptiles and other smaller birds)."

Wow! I have never seen a raptor like in #1 before. That eagle looks like it has some snow owl in it. Great job!
Thanks Jim. This is a juvenile bird. The adults are even more stunning.

Martial Eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus
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