light plumage type; long yellow legs; mottled pale red (Spain; 2006-06-04)


Long-legged Buzzard
Buteo rufinus

Native Range: Eurasia and Africa

Notes: this large buteo inhabits wild plains, semi-deserts, mountains, and other open treeless areas; similar to Common Buzzard but slightly larger and in all plumages with an unbarred tail; comes in several plumage phases including rufous, pale (pictured here), and dark.

dorsal view; note the plain rufous tail; light head (Spain; 2006-06-04)
pale underneath; reddish leggings; pale iris (Spain; 2006-06-04)

lack bill with yellw cere and gape (Spain; 2006-06-04)
posing for a portrait (Spain; 2006-06-04)