Archer's buzzard (''Buteo augur archeri'') is a

subspecies In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...

of the

augur buzzard The augur buzzard (''Buteo augur'') is a fairly large African bird of prey. This species is distinct in typical adult plumage for its blackish back, whitish underside and orange-red tail, however a dark morph is known while juvenile augur buzzar ...

that is endemic to

Somalia Somalia, , Osmanya script: 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒖; ar, الصومال, aṣ-Ṣūmāl officially the Federal Republic of SomaliaThe ''Federal Republic of Somalia'' is the country's name per Article 1 of thProvisional Constituti ...

. The bird's common name and Latin binomial commemorate the British explorer and colonial official Sir

Geoffrey Francis Archer Sir Geoffrey Francis Archer (4 July 1882 – 1 May 1964) was an English ornithologist, big game hunter and colonial official. He was Commissioner and then Governor of British Somaliland between 1913 and 1922, and was responsible for fin ...

Taxonomy

The status of this taxon has been disputed, with some taxonomists considering this species, the

jackal buzzard The jackal buzzard (''Buteo rufofuscus'') is a fairly large African bird of prey. The taxonomy of this species has caused some confusion in the past and it almost certainly belongs in a species complex with other African ''Buteo'' species. Some ...

, and the

to be the same

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

. Previously, many taxonomists consider them all to be distinct, having different calls, different home ranges and slight variations in plumage. In 2013,

BirdLife International BirdLife International is a global partnership of non-governmental organizations that strives to conserve birds and their habitats. BirdLife International's priorities include preventing extinction of bird species, identifying and safeguarding ...

synonymized it with the augur buzzard. The International Ornithological Congress also followed in 2022, but tentatively classified it as a subspecies of the augur buzzard. However, it may simply represent a

color morph In biology, polymorphism is the occurrence of two or more clearly different morphs or forms, also referred to as alternative ''phenotypes'', in the population of a species. To be classified as such, morphs must occupy the same habitat at the s ...

Description

It is long and the adult has distinctive reddish plumage. The adult Archer's buzzard is strikingly plumaged. It is dark brown above with a dark tail. It has chestnut underparts, and rufous feathers above. It has white throat with black streaking. Juvenile birds are pale rufous to white below with sparse streaking on the upper breast.

Habitat

In its restricted range it is found in mountains and adjacent savanna and grassland. It is resident and

non-migratory Bird migration is the regular seasonal movement, often north and south along a flyway, between breeding and wintering grounds. Many species of bird migrate. Migration carries high costs in predation and mortality, including from hunting by ...

throughout its range.

Diet

The diet of the Archer's buzzard is mainly small ground mammals, but snakes, lizards, small ground birds, and insects. Typically, the raptor drops on its prey from a perch or hover.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1260783 Subspecies

Archer's buzzard Archer's buzzard (''Buteo augur archeri'') is a subspecies of the augur buzzard that is endemic to Somalia. The bird's common name and Latin binomial commemorate the British explorer and colonial official Sir Geoffrey Francis Archer. Taxonomy ...

Endemic birds of Somalia Birds of prey of Sub-Saharan Africa