Buteo vulpinus
The Steppe Buzzard is a common summer visitor to South Africa, migrating to our country (and much of southern, east and central Africa) from Europe and Asia when it is winter in their northern hemisphere breeding range. They can be seen in all South African provinces between September and April.
Steppe Buzzards are medium-sized raptors, with a wingspan of 1.3m and a weight of around 550-900g. Females are noticeably larger than males. They are usually seen singly, in pairs or small family groups, but do form large flocks numbering 100 or more while migrating.
Steppe Buzzards utilise a wide range of habitats, but do require at least some tree cover for roosting and nesting. When visiting our southern environs they show a preference for open habitats, ranging from grasslands, arid scrub and fynbos to savannas and open woodland, as well as croplands. They prey mostly on small mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates, often using utility poles and fences as perches from which to attack, and will scavenge from carcasses.
Some authorities consider the Steppe Buzzard to be a subspecies of the Common, or Eurasian, Buzzard (Buteo buteo) which the IUCN considers to be of least concern with a population estimated in the millions.
DeWetsWild 
Looks like a Hawk!
Certainly does, Teresa, in both form and function
So ‘n statige roofvoël! Pragtige foto’s Dries!
Baie dankie, Aletta!
A good looking bird.
A little drab compared to many other summer visitors to our country, but most imposing in stature!
Sjoe dis mooi!
Baie dankie, Tina!
Baie mooi foto’s, Dries! Ek sukkel maar met die roofvoëls, veral as die jonges ook nog anders lyk.
Ek kan jou se ek moes n hele paar keer deur hierdie fotos gaan om seker te maak ek het nie perdalks een gemisidentifiseer nie, Dina (en my kleurblindheid help nie regtig die proses nie!)
😀
Dis nogal moeilik met die kleurblindheid. Het jy ook die spesiale boek vir kleurblindes? ‘n Vriend van ons gebruik dit en hy kom goed reg.
Nee Dina, ek het nie eens geweet van so n boek nie. Krismisvader gaan hierdie jaar n boek gaan moet soek vir my!
Ek dink dis ‘n Sasolboek…Birds by colour.
Ek sal uitkyk daarvoor, baie dankie Dina!
Dis Newman’s Birds by colour, Dries.
Dankie, Dina!
Much nobler looking than our U.S. buzzards! This fellow looks like a Hawk.
Deb also explained to us that what is called a buzzard in the U.S. is more a vulture than a raptor. Strange the names we gave our animals, isn’t it, Kathy? Another example that comes to mind is the buffalo v bison.
Hello. Fantastic photos. I often see these guys on telephone poles when driving along the dirt road that lead to my sister’s farm and sometimes in tall trees or swooping down to scoop up a lizard or other creature in the grasslands next to the road or on the farm itself. Lovely post.
Thanks, Kim! They are quite ubiquitous over rural and wild South Africa during the summer, and must make a huge impact in keeping rodent populations in check!
This is a beautiful bird! Here in the U.S., the birds we call buzzards are actually turkey vultures which are very unattractive.
Strange how the same name could be used for birds so contrary in their look and behaviour! 😀
Beautiful birds! Awesome first photo.
Thanks alot, Montucky!
Great shots of this raptor!
Thanks, Michael!
Very beautiful picture of the beautiful bird!😊 We have them in Sweden to, and here in south, all year around, but it´s not so easy to see.
During summer they are very common all over South Africa, John. But in winter you will not find a single one.