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!

Wordless Wednesday: Fine Day in December

Wordless Wednesday: Mid February Was for the Birds

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!

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