The eastern buzzard or Japanese buzzard is a medium to large bird of prey that is sometimes considered a subspecies of the widespread common buzzard. Some scientists treated is as a distinct species starting in 2008, but others still treat it as either one or three subspecies. It is native to East Asia and some parts of Russia and South Asia, with some birds wintering in Southeast Asia. It is similar to the steppe buzzard. It is carnivorous.
Region
East Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds across Japan, the Korean Peninsula, parts of eastern China, and the Russian Far East, with some birds reaching Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. In winter, northern populations move to southern China and northern parts of Southeast Asia. It favors a mosaic of woodland and open country, especially forest edges, farmlands, river valleys, and coastal plains. The species also occupies low mountain slopes and foothills where open hunting grounds are interspersed with trees.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Japanese buzzard, it is the East Asian counterpart of the widespread common buzzard and is treated by some authorities as a distinct species. It shows considerable plumage variation but typically has pale underparts with a dark belly band and bold dark carpal patches. It often hunts from a perch but can also hover (kite) into the wind. Many birds are resident, while others move south in winter to milder areas.
Eastern buzzard as depicted by a Japanese artist.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
soaring glider with frequent kiting and short, powerful wingbeats when needed
Social Behavior
Monogamous pairs defend territories and reuse large stick nests in tall trees or on cliffs. The clutch is typically 1–3 eggs, and both adults share incubation and chick-rearing duties. Young fledge in late spring to early summer and may disperse widely.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A drawn-out, mewing call similar to the common buzzard, often rendered as a plaintive 'pee-yaa'. Calls are most frequent during courtship displays and territorial interactions.
Plumage
Variable brown upperparts with paler feather edges; underparts generally pale with streaking and a diffuse dark belly band; tail pale with a narrow dark subterminal band; bold dark carpal patches on the underwing.
Diet
Primarily hunts small mammals such as voles and mice, but also takes small birds, reptiles, amphibians, and large insects. It is an opportunist that will scavenge carrion when available. Hunting is typically from exposed perches with short swoops, or by quartering open ground and dropping on prey.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, hedgerows, and over open fields, meadows, and farmlands. It also hunts over marsh margins and river corridors where small prey is abundant.
