Black-breasted buzzard

Description

The black-breasted buzzard (Hamirostra melanosternon) is a large raptor endemic to mainland Australia.First described by John Gould in 1841,the it forms part of the family Accipitridae (hawks and eagles) and is most closely related to the square-tailed kite (Lophoictinia isura).It is a versatile hunter known for its special skill in cracking eggs.The species is common throughout most of its range.Intermediate in body size between the well-known larger wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax) and the smaller little eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides),the black-breasted buzzard is one of Australia’s largest birds of prey.An adult buzzard measures 51–61 cm in height including its short square tail.The buzzard’s outstretched wingspan measures 147–156 cm,rendering the bird distinctive in flight as its wings are conspicuously long relative to its stout body and tail.Buzzards appear sexually monomorphic (identical in physical appearance),although the adult female is slightly larger,weighing approximately 1330 g compared to the 1196 g of the adult male.It is most closely related to the Square-tailed kite (Lophoictinia isura).The black-breasted buzzard is striking in appearance due to the distinctive markings of the adult plumage.From the underside,the mainly black colouring of the body and wings is contrasted by thick white panels near the end of the wings.From above,the black plumage is broken by a rich mottled red across the back and shoulders.Birds in the immature and juvenile phases of growth display pale brown colouring,with dark to black streaks increasing with age.Chicks have white coloured down,described as ‘hair-like’ on their heads.Adult birds may be individually identified during flight by broken or missing flight feathers,or when perched closely together by subtle differences in the red of the back and shoulders.The common call of the black-breasted buzzard is described as a repeated hoarse yelping or short sharp yap or yelp.Adult females also make a soft drawn-out wheezing call to solicit their mate to copulate,undertake nest-building,forage for food and defend the nest.Young buzzards also use a wheezing call to solicit food from their parents.