Archer's buzzard (''Buteo augur archeri'') is a
subspecies
In Taxonomy (biology), biological classification, subspecies (: subspecies) is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (Morphology (biology), morpholog ...
of the
augur buzzard that is endemic to
Somalia
Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is the easternmost country in continental Africa. The country is located in the Horn of Africa and is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, Kenya to the southwest, th ...
. The bird's common name and Latin binomial commemorate the British explorer and colonial official Sir
Geoffrey Francis Archer.
Taxonomy
The status of this taxon has been disputed, with some taxonomists considering this species, the
jackal buzzard, and the
augur buzzard to be the same
species
A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...
. 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 i ...
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.
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 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
Endemic birds of Somalia
Birds of prey of Sub-Saharan Africa
Archer's buzzard
Archer's buzzard