Breeding Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus in forests of southwestern Iran:feeding habits and reproductive performance

Abstract

The breeding biology, behavior, and diet of Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus were studied during 2 breeding seasons in forests in southwestern Iran (n = 3 nests) from April to June in 2012 and 2013. All nests faced west to east on the upper edges of cliffs. Eggs were laid during 7-11 March. The clutch size was 3 eggs and incubation period was 31 ± 1 days. Brood reduction was observed in one of the nests (in the first year), and mortality of the smallest chicks occurred during the second week after hatching. The young fledged successfully at 49.5 ± 0.5 days of age and left the nest at approximately 52 ± 2 days. Information about diet during the breeding season was obtained by collecting pellets, prey remains, and video recordings. Mammalian prey, especially Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus), and lizards and snakes made up most of the diet of Long-legged Buzzards.

Using Motion-Activated Trail Cameras to Study Diet and Productivity of Cliff-Nesting Golden Eagles

“…This approach requires repeated visits and may be biased towards large prey that have inedible parts (e.g., feathers; Marti et al 2007). Other researchers have used a spotting scope or telephoto lens to take images of prey deliveries from a distance, but this method requires an observer to be present, and therefore is labor intensive (Jenkins 1978, Korňan and Macek 2011, Shafaeipour 2015a. Alternatively, remotely controlled or motion-activated cameras, or video-recording equipment, have been used to study diets of eagles , Ló pez-López and Urios 2010, Longshore et al 2015, falcons (Booms and Fuller 2003, Robinson et al 2015), vultures (Margalida et al 2006, and accipiters (Miller et al 2014), among others.…”

Hematological and serum biochemical parameters of the captive long‐legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus) in Iran

“…The long‐legged buzzard measures 50–65 cm in length, with a wingspan of 126–148 cm (Stevenson & Fanshawe, 2004). This species is an abundant raptor in Iran widely distributed in the north, west, and southwest regions of this country (Hosseini‐Zavarei et al., 2008; Shafaeipour, 2015). It feeds on small rodents, lizards, snakes, small birds, and large insects (Erdoǧan et al., 2012).…”