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The article offers an update on a 2015 study which recorded an aggressive territorial behaviour shown by a pair of Peregrine Falcons nesting in Exeter, England towards Common Buzzards passing over the city.

Migratory raptors rarely fly over stretches of water larger than 25 km, although different species undertake water crossings of varying lengths, depending mainly on their wing morphology. Oriental Honey-buzzards fly c. 680 km over the East China Sea in autumn from breeding areas in Japan to wintering areas in Southeast Asia, but avoid this long water crossing in spring. We investigated the effects of weather on this exceptional migratory behaviour and its seasonality through a maximum entropy niche modelling approach. We used data collected through satellite tracking of 31 adult birds as presence points and a set of variables related to wind, precipitation and convective condition as environmental predictors. Results of modelling showed very different, almost non-overlapping, areas suitable for migration over the East China Sea region in autumn and spring. Suitable migration routes in autumn mostly occurred over the sea, whereas suitable areas for spring migration mostly occurred over land, suggesting that circumnavigating the East China Sea is preferable in spring. At the regional scale, wind conditions facilitate water-crossing behaviour of Oriental Honey-buzzards in autumn, but not in spring. Specifically, suitable tailwinds over the sea enable water-crossing in autumn, whereas in spring, wind support and convective conditions are best over land. Our modelling did not suggest any importance of convective conditions for autumn migration. However, we expect that at smaller temporal scales, convective conditions would be a considerable facilitator of the water-crossing behaviour in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detailed records of 108 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo nests were kept during 1997-2004 as part of a long-term study of the species in Avon. Various aspects of the nest were measured, including size and supporting structure, height above ground, and height and species of tree. Nests varied in size from 1,244 to 4,196 cm2. Larger broods were in the biggest nests, and were also significantly earlier than smaller broods. Nest and tree heights matched those in other studies in Britain. Seventeen tree species were used, with Oak Quercus robur the most frequent. Ivy Hedera helix was an important component in nest structure but nests with Ivy were less successful than those without. Food remains at nests showed a wide variety of prey, similar to that of other British studies. The commonest mammal was the Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (71%) and the commonest bird species was the Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus (27%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In studies of habitat suitability at landscape scales, transferability of species-landscape associations among sites are likely to be critical because it is often impractical to collect datasets across various regions. However, limiting factors, such as prey availability, are not likely to be constant across scales because of the differences in species pools. This is particularly true for top predators that are often the target for conservation concern. Here we focus on gray-faced buzzards, apex predators of farmland-dominated landscapes in East Asia. We investigated context dependency of “buzzard-landscape relationship”, using nest location datasets from five sites, each differing in landscape composition. Based on the similarities of prey items and landscape compositions across the sites, we determined several alternative ways of grouping the sites, and then examined whether buzzard-landscape relationship change among groups, which was conducted separately for each way of grouping. As a result, the model of study-sites grouping based on similarities in prey items showed the smallest ΔAICc. Because the terms of interaction between group IDs and areas of broad-leaved forests and grasslands were selected, buzzard-landscape relationship showed a context dependency, i.e., these two landscape elements strengthen the relationship in southern region. The difference in prey fauna, which is associated with the difference in climate, might generate regional differences in the buzzard-landscape associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the postmortem findings of a fatal road accident involving a motorcyclist, a car, and a common buzzard. Both the motorcyclist and the bird died on the scene of the accident and were examined by postmortem full-body CT and autopsy. In addition, a facial injury of the motorcyclist was compared with the dimensions of the buzzard's beak and claws by 3D scan technologies. Blood splatters collected on the bird's beak, feet, and tail were examined by DNA analysis. The overall findings suggested a collision of a common buzzard with a motorcyclist in full speed, causing the motorcyclist to lose control of his vehicle and crash with an approaching car on the oncoming lane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies of non-model species are important for understanding the molecular processes underpinning phenotypic variation under natural ecological conditions. The common buzzard (Buteo buteo; Aves: Accipitriformes) is a widespread and common Eurasian raptor with three distinct plumage morphs that differ in several fitness-related traits, including parasite infestation. To provide a genomic resource for plumage polymorphic birds in general and to search for candidate genes relating to fitness, we generated a transcriptome from a single dead buzzard specimen plus easily accessible, minimally invasive samples from live chicks. Results: We not only de novo assembled a near-complete buzzard transcriptome, but also obtained a significant fraction of the transcriptome of its malaria-like parasite, Leucocytozoon buteonis. By identifying melanogenesis-related transcripts that are differentially expressed in light ventral and dark dorsal feathers, but which are also expressed in other regions of the body, we also identified a suite of candidate genes that could be associated with fitness differences among the morphs. These include several immune-related genes, providing a plausible link between melanisation and parasite load. qPCR analysis of a subset of these genes revealed significant differences between ventral and dorsal feathers and an additional effect of morph. Conclusion: This new resource provides preliminary insights into genes that could be involved in fitness differences between the buzzard colour morphs, and should facilitate future studies of raptors and their malaria-like parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many researchers have recently focused on the functional properties of muscles, and on the mechanics and kinematics of flight, without being able to consult an anatomical database since such a database was either nonexistent or incomplete. In particular, the anatomy of the wing muscles of soaring birds of prey, such as Buteo buteo and Pernis apivorus, has not been examined in detail. The aim of this study was, therefore, to fill this gap in the avian literature and to provide a reference for future comparative and functional studies. Our results show a lesser degree of differentiation of the shoulder musculature as compared to other previously examined birds of prey. However, a few peculiarities were found. In particular, the M. rhomboideus superficialis only has a cranial and a caudal part instead of the typical three parts; the M. pectoralis exhibits a wide and robust fibrous sheet on the deep surface of the Pars sternobrachialis; the cranial head of the Pars propatagialis of the M. deltoideus is especially developed, whereas the tendon of the caudal head divides into two branches. The M. scapulotriceps possesses a humeral anchor and the M. humerotriceps originates from three heads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information about research on Peregrine Falcons behavior that nest on a church in Exeter city centre, England. It states that observations cooperatives attacks by Peregrines on Common Buzzards and mentions frequency and timing of the attacks. Also, it describes the strategy employed by the Peregrines during a typical attack.

Migrating raptors and black storks (Ciconia nigra) were studied in Dadia National Park, Greece, during spring 2003–2005. Vantage points and transects were used to evaluate magnitude, phenology, local variation and direction. We observed 23 species and 2030 individuals, including 715 common buzzards (Buteo buteo), 547 black storks and 136 short-toed eagles (Circaetus gallicus). Species-specific migration peaks were detected, starting in the second half of March, e.g. common buzzard, short-toed eagle, black stork, and ending early May, e.g. Levant sparrowhawk (Accipiter brevipes), red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus), honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus). Most raptors were observed in the Evros valley, which may function as a migration corridor. The average direction of passing raptors was north. Species’ proportions and phenology in the study area were similar to those in neighbouring Bosphorus and Marmara Flyways. Further migration monitoring should be established in the area, which will provide important information not least to inform wind farm development location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tongues of ten seagulls and six common buzzards were examined. In both species, papillae linguales caudales were shaped like a letter ' V' between the corpus linguae and the radix linguae. From these papillae, the length of the laterally placed papillae was greater compared with others in both species. Two or three secondary papillae were detected on these papillae in the seagull. In scanning electron microscope ( SEM) examinations, in the seagull, the apex linguae was composed of multilayered desquamated cells, while in the buzzard, scalelike simple projections on the surface of desquamated cells were observed. In the buzzard, glandula (gll). linguales, and gll. mandibulares caudales were seen, while in the seagull, gll. cricoarytenoideae and gll. mandibulares caudales were present. In the seagull, apex linguae were bifurcated, and there were desquamating multilayered cells, particularly at the apex linguae. The number and location of salivary gland orifices are specific to this species. The common buzzard had similarities to many characteristics of the long-legged buzzard. An absence of long and curly threadlike projections at the two lateral sides of the corpus linguae and an excessive number of salivary gland orifices at the corpus linguae were the main differences from the long-legged buzzard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modernization of drainage systems is suspected of causing a deterioration in the biodiversity of paddy-dominated landscapes that are substitutes for natural wetlands. Here, we focused on the gray-faced buzzard ( Butastur indicus), a top predator that inhabits agricultural landscapes in East Asia. We evaluated the impacts of drainage system modernization on buzzards by measuring reductions in paddy-dwelling frogs, a major prey for buzzards that are common in rice fields. Field surveys were conducted in yatsu valleys ('yatsu' refers to small, narrow valleys in which rice cultivation often dominates the valley bottom) in Shimane prefecture, western Japan. We found that the distribution of buzzards was positively correlated with the densities of black-spotted pond frogs ( Pelophylax nigromaculatus) and forest green tree frogs ( Rhacophorus arboreus), although the relationship between buzzards and pond frogs was stronger. In addition, pond frog density was negatively correlated with modern drainage systems, whereas tree frog density did not show such a pattern. Therefore, modern drainage systems may reduce the buzzard population indirectly by reducing pond frog densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporal heterogeneity in the effects of food supply during the breeding season on the productivity of the Common Buzzard Buteo buteo was investigated in a supplementary feeding experiment. Pairs were fed artificially (1) before egg-laying, (2) after chicks hatched and (3) continuously throughout the season, and compared with (4) unfed controls. Pairs fed before egg-laying had marginally larger clutches than those not fed, but lay date, egg volume and weight, brood size and hatching success were unaffected. Territorial quality had far greater effects, with pairs nesting in low-quality habitats (bog, scrub and semi-natural grassland) laying later and having lower hatching success, smaller broods and fewer fledglings than those in more productive agricultural landscapes. Supplementary feeding after egg hatching neutralized the negative effect of poor habitat, resulting in fed birds having significantly more fledglings. This study emphasizes the importance of food availability when provisioning chicks in suboptimal habitats and has implications for the success of diversionary feeding in reducing game losses to Buzzards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, agricultural uses of anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) cause poisonings of non-target wildlife as observed in France where bromadiolone is used to control water vole outbreaks. Following bromadiolone field application, a part of the vole population may die aboveground of the treated plots and thus, can represent an important risk of secondary poisoning for scavengers. In this study, water voles were trapped in a non-treated area and their carcasses were placed aboveground in plots located in an area where a vole outbreak occurred. Then, the environmental persistence, the diurnal and nocturnal scavenging rates of water vole carcasses were assessed in autumn 2011 and in spring 2012. The diurnal scavenger species were also identified. The environmental persistence of the carcasses to reach at least a scavenging rate of 87.5 % was 0.5-1.5 day. The average rates of diurnal and nocturnal scavenging ranged from 67 to 100 % and 5 to 100 %, respectively. They depended on the composition of the scavenger community present near the monitored plots; diurnal scavenging rates being higher with corvids than with raptors. In autumn, the red kite and the common buzzard were the main scavengers in one of the plots, what suggests a high risk of poisoning for these raptors during post-nuptial migration. So, the collection of vole carcasses after treatments and the limitations of bromadiolone applications when high densities of predators/scavengers are observed could be implemented to mitigate the risks of secondary poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to compare the two species' flight performance over the exposed and windy Falsterbo Peninsula, where thermal conditions seldomly are very favorable, we used tracking radar to study flight parameters of sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus and common buzzards Buteo buteo during autumn migration. The results showed a clear difference between sparrowhawks and common buzzards in their flight altitudes and speeds, and in the wind conditions they encountered. Common buzzards had higher flight altitudes and were more selective of wind. Flight altitude was negatively related to the wind speed, which was most pronounced for common buzzards. Sparrowhawks had higher mean air- and cross-country speeds than common buzzards. Airspeed was negatively related, whereas ground and cross-country speeds were positively related to the tailwind component for both raptors. The differences between sparrowhawks and buzzards could to a large degree be explained by a larger dependence on thermal soaring among the common buzzards; a strategy associated with selectivity for favourable thermal and wind conditions during migratory flight. An additional important explanation for the interspecific differences was the habit of the sparrowhawks to combine migratory flight with hunting for prey, which makes it prone to fly at lower altitudes and use flapping flight to a much larger degree than common buzzards which do not forage during their migratory passage of the Falsterbo Peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents research which examined the influences of hatching on the nutritional conditions of buzzards. Topics covered include the challenges faced by the youngest nestling during asynchronous hatching as well as the dominance of altricial young buzzards that were hatched first in a clutch. Also mentioned is the use of the method ptilochronology to measure the light and dark bands on the vane.

The article focuses on a study done to analyze the breeding biology and behaviors of Biackbreasted Buzzards Hamirostra melanostemon. Topics discussed include the bird's response to nest destruction, both parents' similar contributions to nest-building, and quantification of sex roles and parental time in different phase of nesting.

The aim of this study was to investigate the vascular branching morphology of the aortic arch in the long-legged buzzard. For this purpose, two long-legged buzzards were evaluated in this study. The latex injection method was used to investigate the branching of the aortic arch. Two innominate brachiocephalic trunks branched continually from aortic arch caudoventral to the primary bronchi and ventral to the syrinx. The left subclavian artery gave rise to sternoclavicular, thoracic, axillary and intercostal arteries in this region. On the right side, it was observed that the right subclavian artery gave off thoracic, sternoclavicular and intercostal arteries, and the axillary artery was the branch of thoracic artery differently from the left one. Each carotid artery was continued to the middle of the neck and soon disappeared, becoming covered by the muscles of the anterior part of the neck, and entering the canal formed by the inferior spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae, within which it ran hidden, and in close contact with its fellow of the other lateral side, to near the head. This morphological study in the long-legged buzzard will elucidate the vascular organization for regional blood supply, and provide specific anatomical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of changing climatic conditions on wild populations has been the subject of much recent research. Most attention has been on the direct effects of climate changes on species of lower trophic levels and on the negative consequences of climate change. However, a deeper understanding of how climate change affects apex predators is vital, as they are keystone species that have a disproportionate effect on ecosystems. Studying survival in an apex predator requires individual-based data from long-term studies and is complicated by the integration of climatic effects on lower trophic levels. Here we assess how climate affects the survival of the Common Buzzard Buteo buteo. We analysed the survival of 670 males and 669 females over the period 1989-2011, during which time our study population quadrupled. We used mark-recapture survival analysis of individual resightings of breeding adults to identify the environmental factors best explaining survival. A decrease in the North Atlantic Oscillation ( NAO) index increased survival to an extent that largely explains the population increase. This might be caused by higher Common Vole Microtus arvalis survival in drier conditions and under snow cover. Buzzard survival appeared to increase more for males than for females, possibly due to the males' higher sensitivity to winter food availability resulting from their smaller body mass. However, we also found that the effect of NAO strongly depended on the area in which individuals lived, especially for females. This may have been caused by the recolonization of Eagle Owls Bubo bubo in some parts of our study area. This study suggests that climatic changes can have complex effects on species of higher trophic levels via an interaction with their prey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this study we report the detection of Toxocara cati larvae in the muscle tissue of two birds of prey, a red kite (Milvus milvus) and a common buzzard (Buteo buteo), received in our laboratory as part of the Wildlife Monitoring and Control Plan of the Basilicata Region (Italy). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of identification of T. cati larvae in these two species. Toxocara cati is a common parasite of wild and domestic felines, and presents a cosmopolitan distribution. Adult parasites localize in the gut of the definitive host giving rise to the infection, which usually runs asymptomatic. These worms produce eggs that are excreted with feces into the environment, where they become a source of infection for paratenic hosts, such as mammals, birds, and invertebrates. In this brief communication, we report the detection of T. cati larvae in a common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and a red kite (Milvus milvus), in the Basilicata Region of Italy. This result may be important to define new pathways of spread and survival of T. cati in the wild. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this section is to guide the readers through the jungle of ornithological books by drawing their attention to significant current publications or some easy-to-overlook books. Book reviews can also inform the readers about significant moments which some reviewers are able to pinpoint brilliantly. Please, contact the book review editor if you wish to write a review, offer or suggest a book for review. The book reviews in this section express the opinion of the writer, do not undergo the review process, and are solely subject to copyediting. In this year’s “Book reviews”, you can enjoy three single-species monographs (featuring Common Buzzard, Barn Owl and Ring Ouzel), a comprehensive perspective on how birds survive the winter and a book about rewilding birds in the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the wintering population of common buzzards in northeastern Romania from November 2010 to February 2011. They are described as partial migrants in Eastern Europe whose numbers in a specific area fluctuate during winter. The birds' non-random distribution across habitat types such as agricultural land and areas with natural perches like trees or bushes is mentioned. The peaking of populations during periods of lower-than-average temperature is also cited.

The article focuses on a study which reports the use of power poles for nesting by two nest-building species, Common Raven and Upland Buzzard, and two falcon species, Saker Falcon and Eurasian Kestrel in the nest-site-limited steppes of central Mongolia. Results revealed that various power pole designs differed in their attractiveness to nest-building species, with structures that provided stable support and shelter being significantly favored.

The article presents a study on the potential mediating influence of corticosterone levels on carotenoid-pigmented trait expression among Common Buzzard nestlings. It mentions various methods used in the study such as the assaying off corticosterone levels in the feathers, spectrophotometry, and centrifugation. Results show that there were no significant difference in the carotenoid levels, coloration, and corticosterone levels between the sexes. It concludes that there is a negative correlation between feather corticosterone and coloration in the buzzard nestlings.

The article presents a study which examines the impact of sibling competition on the stress dependent of nutritional status in broods of Upland Buzzards (Buteo hemilasius). The study was conducted in two separate areas in Mongolia, in which the biometrics of the 52 nestlings inn 22 active nests were measured during the 2007 breeding season. The results of the study showed that the corticosterone (CORT) levels differed between the first-and second-hatched siblings of Upland Buzzards. The study also reveals the association of stress with sibling conflicts.

The partial recovery of large birds of prey in lowland Britain has reignited conflicts with game managers and prompted a controversial U.K. government proposal to investigate ways of limiting losses to pheasant shooting operations. Yet best estimates are that buzzards are only a minor source of pheasant mortality-road traffic, for example, is far more important. Moreover, because there are often large numbers of nonbreeding buzzards, local control of breeding pairs may simply lead to their replacement by immigrant buzzards. Most significantly, consideration of the complexity of trophic interactions suggests that even if successful, lowering buzzard numbers may directly or indirectly increase the abundance of other medium-sized predators (such as foxes and corvids) which potentially have much greater impacts on pheasant numbers. To be effective, interventions need to be underpinned by far more rigorous understanding of the dynamics of ecosystems dominated by artificially reared, superabundant nonnative game species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raptor populations in Sudano- Sahelian West Africa are being severely affected by widespread habitat alteration which depletes prey populations, potentially aggravated by changing rainfall patterns. We studied Grasshopper Buzzards Butastur rufipennis at nests in natural and transformed habitats in the Sudano- Sahelian region of northern Cameroon to assess the effects of habitat transformation and rainfall on nestling diet and growth. Grasshoppers and small mammals were more frequently taken in natural habitat, whereas lizards were most frequently taken in transformed habitats. These dietary differences reflected differences in prey availability around nests in natural and transformed habitats. Land use was a significant predictor of asymptotic weight: nestlings in natural habitat attained a higher mass than those in transformed habitats, when potentially confounding variables such as hatch order, gender, hatch date, rainfall or the presence of siblings were taken into consideration. These results suggest that body condition at fledging was habitat-dependent, with potential consequences for subsequent survival. However, we recorded no differences in caloric content of food delivered to nests in natural and transformed habitat, which was possibly related to prey caught during twilight hours. There was a positive relationship between precipitation levels during the nestling phase and nestling growth rate. We predict unfavourable future conditions for nestling growth of raptors in Sudano- Sahelian savannas as a consequence of continued widespread habitat transformation and diminished rainfall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]