Buteo buteo harterti
Common Buzzard, endemic subspecies of the Madeira archipelago, which can reach 50 cm in length and up to 130 cm in wingspan. Adult individuals have a reddish-brown upper body, a small head with a black hooked beak, and a relatively short, light gray tail often with transverse stripes. In flight, the light spots on the undersides and the darker edges stand out. It flies with slow beats and in flat circles. It feeds on rodents, insects and small birds. They do not normally form flocks, but several individuals can be observed together (usually 2-3 birds). It is protected by the Berne Convention - Annex ll.
Photo Credits: Luis Berimbau
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