Bird Animation from DEC 2019

They're Gone But Will Return in Autumn

Grey-faced Buzzards (Butastur indicus) AKA Sashiba, in Japan are migratory visitors.

They visit Okinawa from late October until March each year.

Going through my image files, I found this batch and decided to post an animation.

This character frequented my neighborhood within 500 meters of my house, all winter.

Since migratory birds are gone, I walk somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 steps daily.

When the weather turns cold again, I'll be looking forward to seeing my Sashiba friend!

Bird Photo: Pair of Grey-faced Buzzard Eagles in Flight

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300MM + 1.4 Converter Focal Length 420MM

Exposure:  f/7.1  1/1600   ISO 400

Location: Kin Town Okinawa Japan

Date and Time  JAN 28  2017  12:03 PM

Sashiba (サシバ) Grey-faced Buzzard Eagle - A Mirgatory Visitor

These Birds Leave Our Island Soon

 

 

Normally, our feathered friends visit from November through March.

Then, they head back up to northern climates in China, Japan and Russia.

Luckily, we spotted this guy perched in a tree, while it was raining.

The farthest, I could reach, with the lens being used, was 250MM.

The bird probably, didn't feel like flying and, getting its wings all wet.

So, I snapped a few good shots before he got riled and flew away.

Any bird that eats mice, snakes and rats, as well as bugs, has to be a favorite of mine.

It's too bad, they migrate away from here during the warmer months. 

Another thing, I hear these birds eat, is frogs and, that upsets some folks.

Well, people eat frogs, too.  Don't they ?  They shouldn't complain about birds, doing it then.

Try this sometime, when you go to a French restaurant.

Ask the waiter if, he has frog legs.  Then if, he says,  "Yes, of course," have some fun with him.

Say something like, "Great.  Hop in to the kitchen and get me a plate of French Fries."

More About the Grey-faced Buzzard Eagle (Butastur indicus) in previous posts.

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

 

 

 

Bird Research News  

Birds of the World 

Wildlife Photos: Grey-faced Buzzard Eagle

Migratory Visitor to Okinawa

 

 

This bird spends the winter months on island and leaves around March.

They come from northern areas like Russia, China or, mainland Japan.

Also called Frog Hawks or, Buzzard Hawks, Butastur indicus, is their Latin name.

They will eat snakes, frogs, lizards, bugs and, small animals.

This bird was kind enough to put on a little skit for the camera.

So, plenty of extra shots were take to create this GIF.

Today, I discovered a site called, Global Raptors Org and, it's a great reference.

Working to conserve birds of prey in nature, is what they are all about.  

Checkout their Global Raptor Information Network

Wildlife Photo:Juvenile Grey-faced Buzzard Eagle

This bird was spotted in Kin Village, Okinawa, Japan today.

Learn more about the Buzzard Eagle (Butastur indicus) on this excellent site:

Birding in Taiwan

Visit my homepage for today's Feature Photo

Wildlife Photos: The Grey-faced Buzzard Eagle

Here is a series of shots taken in Okinawa, Japan today.

There weren't any blue skies and bright light as seen in my introduction photo but, I was happy to catch these shots on the rainy day we were experiencing all over the island on this mid October day.

The Buzzard Eagle usually doesn't arrive on Okinawa until November.

They migrate from colder climates and stay until March sometime.

This bird was stretching and flapping its wings, trying to shake the water off.

Unlike my other raptor friends, the Osprey,  Grey-faced Buzzard Eagles don't go diving in fresh or sea water to grab fish.

These birds are meat-eaters.

Rodents, snakes and frogs are what's on the menu for Buzzard Eagles.

They can fly and swoop down on dinner lots faster when their feathers are dry.

Once this bird got enough of the rain water off its wings, it was ready for the hunt.

It spotted something on the ground, took a dive below the treeline, out of my sight, never to be seen again.  That's alright by me, Mr. Grey-faced Buzzard Eagle.  I'll visit you again on a brighter day and have a little longer lens on the camera when we meet next time.

MORE ABOUT THE GREY-FACED BUZZARD EAGLE MAY BE SEEN HERE


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