Sashiba (サシバ) The Raptor in Flight

Grey-faced Buzzard Eagle

This bird is known locally as a Sashiba. Scientific name: Butastur indicus.

They migrate from northern territories and winter in Okinawa.

Normally the birds reside here from November to March and, they are nice to have around.

Raptors, are birds of prey with sharp, hooked beaks that shred meat and, sharp talons.

They swoop down and grab snakes, rats, mice, bugs, and other pests.

This is a fairly large one, that hangs around a field, about 15 minutes walk, from my office.

Now, that I know where he hunts, I may be spending the rest of the month, watching.

It would be my pleasure, to capture a photo of this guy, grabbing and eating a mongoose!

Sashiba (サシバ) Grey-faced Buzzard Eagle in Flight

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300 with 1.4 Converter Focal Length 420MM

Exposure:  f/7.1  1/2000  ISO 400

Location: Kin Dam Okinawa Japan

Date and Time:  JAN 21  2017   1:40 PM

More about the Buzzard Eagle

A Bird Known as Sashiba (サシバ) in Japan

Migratory Visitor to Okinawa

 

 

These birds reside in northern areas of China, Japan and Russia.

During the winter months they visit Taiwan and our islands.

Common Name: Grey-faced Buzzard Eagle

Scientific Name: Butastur indicus

Taking a wild guess, I'd say, this one must be a juvenile because it was small.

It couldn't have been much taller than, the length of my hand.

Buzzard Eagles diet consists of snakes, rodents and frogs, most of the time.

Last year, I spotted one, catching and devouring large grasshoppers and bugs.

The species, at one point in history, became endangered in Taiwan.

It seems hunters were after the bird's feathers and hides, to sell in Japan.

They say, a seasoned hunter could, nail 70-80 birds, on a good night.

The eagles, were also being used for Chinese medicines and falconry.

Learn about the conservation of this species at Birding in Taiwan. 

REFERENCES:

Bird Research News (PDF)

Birdlife International 

Global Raptors

Okinawa Kaeru

Grey-faced Buzzard Eagle Flying in Attack Mode

Sashiba (サシバ) in Japanese

 

 These birds were being driven to extinction at one point in history.

Some people figured a powerful raptor must be good for your health so, eat them.

Others, collected the feathers and hides for good luck charms.

And, some folks even trained and used the birds for falconry.

Thousands of these birds were being shipped to Japan until the 1980's.

Environmentalists from Taiwan and Japan put an end to trading this species.

An excellent reference -- Birding in Taiwan

When the Legs Come Forward

 

 

 The raptor is zeroing-in on a meal.

The victim could have been a lizard, frog, snake or, furry critter.

Let's hope it was a Mongoose.

 

  

 More About the Butastur indicus

 

 

 

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