About Buteo brachypterus Hartlaub, 1860
The Madagascar buzzard (Buteo brachypterus Hartlaub, 1860) is a typical Old World buzzard with considerable plumage variability, and is similar to the African forest buzzard and the Palearctic common buzzard. This species has a dark grey head, a white patch on the breast, and brownish-white vents and thighs that are spotted with brown. Its tail is marked with broad brownish-black bars. The bill is black with a greyish blue cere, the eyes are yellow, and the legs and feet are pale yellow. This species is endemic to Madagascar, where it is common across most of its range. It is less common in the deforested central plateau of the island, although there is some indication that its population is increasing as forest becomes fragmented. The Madagascar buzzard is adaptable to a wide range of habitats, including forest, open woodland, and regenerating secondary forest. It also occurs on rocky hillsides up to 2300 metres above sea level. Despite this habitat adaptability, it remains less common on the deforested central plateau.
