Himalayan Buzzard

A large hawk with a confusing range and unclear identification criteria. Resident in the Himalayas and a breeder in adjacent areas of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. A large “typical” buzzard, brown overall with blotchy patterning on the breast, dark upper “trousers,” and dark “elbows” and trailing edge on the underwing. Juvenile streakier below with a more finely barred tail and paler trailing edge. Compare with extremely similar Upland and Eastern Buzzards; note less eagle-like proportions than Upland, as well as marginally darker “trousers” and more prominent trailing edge than Eastern.

In Sri Lanka, the Himalayan Buzzard is considered a rare winter visitor, and is most likely to be seen in open areas like fields, wetlands, and coastal regions, particularly on the coast of Delft Island, as it primarily migrates from the Himalayas where its natural habitat lies, seeking lower altitudes during colder months.

prey on small birds, rodents, some reptiles and invertebrates.