Black-breasted buzzard

Intermediate in body size between the well-known larger wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax) and the smaller little eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides), the black-breasted buzzard is one of Australia's largest birds of prey and one of the world's largest kites alongside the red kite, which is slightly less heavy but has a longer total length. An adult black-breasted buzzard measures in height including its short square tail. Buzzards appear sexually monomorphic (identical in physical appearance), although the adult female is slightly larger, weighing approximately compared to the of the adult male. It is most closely related to the Square-tailed kite (Lophoictinia isura). The black-breasted buzzard is striking in appearance due to the distinctive markings of the adult plumage. From the underside, the mainly black colouring of the body and wings is contrasted by thick white panels near the end of the wings. From above, the black plumage is broken by a rich mottled red across the back and shoulders. Birds in the immature and juvenile phases of growth display pale brown colouring, with dark to black streaks increasing with age. Chicks have white coloured down, described as 'hair-like' on their heads. Adult birds may be individually identified during flight by broken or missing flight feathers, or when perched closely together by subtle differences in the red of the back and shoulders. The common call of the black-breasted buzzard is described as a repeated hoarse yelping or short sharp yap or yelp. Adult females also make a soft drawn-out wheezing call to solicit their mate to copulate, undertake nest-building, forage for food and defend the nest. Young buzzards also use a wheezing call to solicit food from their parents. ==Distribution and habitat==

The black-breasted buzzard is widely but sparsely distributed throughout northern and inland Australia In a study of raptor habitat association in central Australia, it was most commonly observed in River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) open woodland, demonstrating a significant preference for this habitat type. ==Diet==

The black-breasted buzzard hunts a variety of reptiles, small mammals, and birds, and raids bird nests to steal eggs and nestlings, including those of other raptor species. ==Reproduction==

The black-breasted buzzard is usually monogamous, forming lifelong pair-bonds. The buzzard nests in trees of notable height and girth, larger and more independent from others generally available. The trees may be dead with bare exposed limbs, or live and foliated, with nests positioned in prominent forks high up in the canopies. Other hypotheses suggest the greenery may play a role in courtship, and or assist in nestling development. Although known to occur in a variety of avian species from a range of climates and habitats around the world, this behaviour is not yet fully understood. == Conservation ==

The current IUCN Red List ranks the black-breasted buzzard of Least Concern. While it is not listed as a conservation concern by the Australian Commonwealth, The global population estimate for the black-breasted buzzard is uncertain, varying between 1000–10,000 individuals. Historic records indicate the black-breasted buzzard became extinct in some areas of its former range by as early as the 1930s. and a likely contributor to their decline in Australia. Such toxins are frequently introduced to the environment by humans to combat pest animals and plague insects. and Europe Climate change leading to increased periods of drought in the arid and semi-arid areas of Australia is a concern for the survival of many raptors species, particularly those with specialist diets dependent on a limited array of prey species. The black-breasted buzzard has a varied diet including carrion that may afford it some resilience in the face of intense drought when carcasses of perished large mammals become abundant. However, it also has a year-round preference for living and nesting in the riparian zones of creek lines and drainage channels. As these tend to dry up under drought conditions, resultant habitat loss is likely to threaten the buzzard's reproductive viability and survival. More frequent and intense wildfire events will also increasingly contribute to the decline of large trees and potential black-breasted buzzard habitat. A program of landscape conservation that engages all land managers and stakeholders and includes the protection of existing habitat and revegetation of lost habitat, is considered the first step in protecting the black-breasted buzzard, its relatives and the overall biodiversity of arid and semi-arid Australia. == References ==