Light buzzards’ colorations and migration – 03

Light buzzards’ colorations and migration – 03



Buteo buteo – Accipitriformes – Accipitriadae – This is the lightest buzzard I saw so far this winter. Easily recognizing individuals thanks to the plumage coloration of their breast and comparing them from one season to another has proven me that I have not seen again the birds from previous years, which implies that they do not develop habits where wintering is concerned, as long as they reach temperate areas to survive through winter.

C’est la buse la plus claire que j’ai pu voir jusqu’à présent cet hiver. Comme l’avons vu dans l’article précédent, ces buses plus claires viennent des pays nordiques et sont donc étroitement liées à la migration. Reconnaître les individus par les plumes du poitrail et les comparer d’une année sur l’autre m’a prouvé que pour le moment je n’ai pas revu les migratrices des années précédentes, ce qui implique qu’elles n’ont pas d’habitudes quant à un lieu d’hivernage précis, du moment qu’elles se retrouvent dans des zones tempérées pour survivre à l’hiver.

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Buteo buteo

More robust and heavier than other birds of prey in southern areas, this buzzard has a rather heavy flight compared to that of kites – red or black – or Sparrowhawks but nonetheless, it shows itself swift when needed.

As kestrels it can also hover above a prey but it is not all that frequent, hawks having made this particular mode of hunting a specialty.

Plus trapue et plus lourde que d’autres rapaces de nos régions, cette buse a un vol assez lourd comparé à celui des milans ou des éperviers mais elle n’en reste pas moins agile pour autant.Comme le Faucon crécerelle, elle peut aussi faire du surplace (le St esprit) au-dessus d’une proie, mais ce n’est pas aussi fréquent, les faucons en ayant fait un mode de chasse bien particulier.

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On the other hand, it looks for ascending aerial currents to move to other areas in search of prey; it will often be seen diving into a bush or hedge with its prey to consume it away from other preying eyes.

Par contre, elle cherche les courants ascendants pour se déplacer et monte haut pour changer de territoire à la recherche de proies; souvent elle embarquera sa proie dans un fourré à l’abri des regards.

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Buteo buteo

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Coming from northern Europe, its wingspan allows it to glide effectively during migration and reach an altitude of 1000 m and more. It travels usually alone but a few individuals can join in to take advantage of favorable currents.

Nowadays less and less of these birds cross over the Pyrenees mountains and numbers in the south-west can rise pretty much.

Venant d’Europe du nord, la taille et l’étendue de ses ailes lui permet de planer efficacement à la migration et d’atteindre une altitude de 1000 mètres voire plus. Elle voyage de jour souvent seule mais parfois plusieurs individus peuvent se rejoindre, profitant des courants aériens favorables. De nos jours, de moins en moins de ces oiseaux passent les Pyrénées et leur nombre s’accroît l’hiver dans tout le sud-ouest.

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Noushka Wildlife

Noushka

Passionate about Nature and photography but mostly animals and birds. I live in France at the present, but have lived in Africa for 16 years and in the U.S. for 3 years and with Australia in mind for the future. With my husband, I created and managed a Bird Park in South Africa, raising mainly psittacines; the breeding facility housed over 1000 parrots at any given time. My photography is about sharing fauna's beauty with other enthusiasts! Equipment: NIKON lenses: 400 mm Z F4/5, 800 mm Z, 500 mm, 200/500 mm, 800 mm f5/6E

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Noushka Wildlife

Noushka Wildlife

Passionate about Wildlife, Photography and Wildlife issues. I live in the south of France at the present, but have lived in Africa for 16 years, in the U.S. for 3 years. With my husband, I created and managed a BIRD PARK in South Africa, raising mainly psittacines; the breeding facility housed over 1000 parrots at any given time. I speak French and English alike and manage decently in Spanish. My photography is about sharing fauna's beauty with other enthusiasts! Equipment: ALL NIKON Cameras: D500, D750 Tele lenses: 300 mm, 500 mm, 800 mm f5/6E, Zoom lenses: 16/80 mm, 80/400 mm, 200/500 mm and: Macro 150 Sigma. * * * My work can be seen HERE: http://1000-pattes.blogspot.fr/ * * * NOT ON FACEBOOK

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