The grey-faced buzzard is an Asian bird of prey. It is typically 41–46 cm (16–18 in) in length, making it a small-sized raptor. It breeds in Manchuria, Korea and Japan; it winters in South-east Asia.
Region
East and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds in northeastern China (Manchuria), the Korean Peninsula, and Japan, favoring open woodlands, forest edges, and agricultural mosaics. Winters across Southeast Asia, including Taiwan, the Philippines, Indochina, and parts of Indonesia. Frequently uses rice fields, river valleys, scrubby hillsides, and lightly wooded lowlands. Often perches on poles, wires, and low branches to scan for prey. Tolerant of human-modified landscapes where prey like frogs and large insects are abundant.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A small migratory raptor, the grey-faced buzzard breeds in northeastern Asia and winters in Southeast Asia. It often hunts from low perches over rice paddies and open edges, taking frogs, lizards, and large insects. During migration and in winter it may roost communally, but it is territorial on breeding grounds.
Skeleton
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
soaring glider with steady wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically monogamous, nesting in trees with a stick platform. Pairs defend territories during the breeding season. Outside breeding, especially on migration and in winter, individuals may gather at good feeding or roosting sites.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Gives clear, high-pitched whistles and mewing calls, especially during display flights over territory. Calls are short, repeated notes that carry across open habitats.
Plumage
Upperparts brown with a slightly rufous tinge; head and face grey. Underparts pale with rufous to brown barring across breast and belly; tail and flight feathers distinctly banded. Throat whitish with a narrow dark median stripe.
Diet
Primarily takes small vertebrates such as frogs and lizards, supplemented by large insects like grasshoppers and beetles. Will also capture small rodents and occasionally small birds. Hunts mainly by perch-and-wait, dropping to the ground to seize prey. Uses agricultural wetlands and field margins where prey is concentrated.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along rice paddies, irrigation ditches, wet meadows, and forest edges. Often forages from low perches such as fence posts and wires, scanning open ground and shallow water.
