The white-eyed buzzard, or Butastur teesa, is a medium-sized raptor found in western and north-western India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. It inhabits dry open land, open forests and cultivated land. As the name suggests, this bird has a distinct white iris which makes its eyes look white. It also has a white patch on its throat with a black stripe running down it. The head and body are brown and legs are a pale yellow. Its beak is black and beautifully curved. The female is slightly larger than the male.
It preys on small birds, mammals, amphibians, insects, crabs and reptiles. It is a vociferous bird with a mewing call or a falling whistle that is often heard when several birds soar together. Both the male and female take part in nest building. The nest is usually a loose construction of twigs set in a leafless tree. The female may lay up to 3 unmarked, white eggs and is responsible for incubation, which usually takes around 19 days. Both parents take turns in feeding and protecting the young ones.
Although habitat loss and fluctuations in prey populations are universal threats, the white-eyed buzzard does not show much decline in numbers. This may be due to its wide distribution across a range of habitats. It is listed under ‘Least Concern’ in the IUCN Red List.
Picture Credit : Google
