About Buteo japonicus Temminck & Schlegel, 1844
The eastern buzzard, also called the Japanese buzzard, has the scientific name Buteo japonicus. It is a medium-to-large bird of prey. It is sometimes classified as a subspecies of the widespread common buzzard, Buteo buteo. Some scientists have recognized it as a distinct species since 2008, while other scientists still treat it as either one single subspecies or three separate subspecies of the common buzzard. This bird is native to East Asia, parts of Russia, and parts of South Asia; some individuals winter in Southeast Asia. It is similar in appearance and traits to the steppe buzzard. It is a carnivorous species. Four subspecies of Buteo japonicus are currently recognized. B. j. burmanicus breeds in Siberia, Mongolia, northern China, and North Korea, and winters in Southeast Asia. B. j. japonicus breeds only in Japan, and winters from southern Japan to southeastern China and Taiwan. B. j. toyoshimai is found on the Izu Islands and Bonin Islands. B. j. oshiroi is found on the Daito Islands.
