LC
Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus



Taxonomy

Taxonomic note
Recent studies found that the taxonomy of Buteo rufinus cistensis is not clear, and it is closer to Buteo buteo than to Buteo rufinus (Jowers et al. 2019). It has been suggested to name it North African Buzzard instead of Long-legged Buzzard (Jowers et al. 2019, MaghrebOrnitho 2019).

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
Jowers, MJ, S Sánchez-Ramírez, S Lopes, I Karyakin, V Dombrovski, A, Qninba, T Valkenburg, N Onofre, N Ferrand, P Beja, L, Palma and R Godinho. 2019. Unravelling population processes over the Late Pleistocene driving contemporary genetic divergence in Palearctic Buzzards. Mol. Phyl. Gen. & Evol doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2019.02.004.
MaghrebOrnitho. 2019. North African Buzzard is not a Long-legged but an allospecies of Common Buzzard. Available at: https://www.magornitho.org/2019/02/north-african-buzzard-taxonomy/.
Porter, R. F.; Kirwan, G. M. 2010. Studies of Socotran birds VI. The taxonomic status of the Socotra Buzzard. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 130(2): 116-131.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - -

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2021 Least Concern
2016 Least Concern
2013 Least Concern
2012 Least Concern
2011 Least Concern
2008 Not Recognised
2004 Not Recognised
2000 Not Recognised
1994 Not Recognised
1988 Not Recognised
Species attributes

Migratory status full migrant Forest dependency low
Land-mass type Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 32,300,000 km2
Extent of Occurrence (non-breeding) 41,100,000 km2
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 100000-499999 mature individuals poor suspected 2021
Population trend stable - suspected -
Generation length 7.37 years - - -

Population justification: The European population is estimated at 13,800-22,900 pairs, which equates to 27,600-45,800 mature individuals (BirdLife International in prep.). Europe forms approximately 17% of the global range, so a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is 162,000-269,000 mature individuals, although further validation of this estimate is needed. It is placed in the band 100,000 to 499,999 mature individuals.

Trend justification: The population is suspected to fluctuate in response to vole populations (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001). The European trend is currently estimated to be increasing (BirdLife International in prep.), largely due to a northward range expansion (Keller et al. 2020). Jennings and Sadler (2006) estimated that the Arabian population had declined by c.5% over 10 years due to habitat loss, and predicted continuing habitat loss of <20% over the following 10 years (although the species may benefit from the resulting farmland habitat). There have also been declines in the resident race in northern Africa (Global Raptor Information Network 2021). Accounting for fluctuations and a potential shift in distribution, the global population trend for this species is estimated to be stable.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Afghanistan extant native yes yes
Albania extant native yes yes
Armenia extant native yes yes
Austria extant vagrant
Azerbaijan extant native yes yes
Bahrain extant native yes
Bangladesh extant native yes
Belarus extant vagrant
Belgium extant vagrant
Bhutan extant native yes
Bosnia and Herzegovina extant vagrant yes
Botswana extant vagrant
Bulgaria extant native yes yes yes
Burkina Faso extant native yes
Cameroon extant native yes
Cape Verde extant native yes
Central African Republic extant vagrant yes
Chad extant native yes
China (mainland) extant native yes yes
Croatia extant native yes
Cyprus extant native yes yes
Czechia extant vagrant
Denmark extant vagrant
Djibouti extant native yes
Egypt extant native yes yes
Eritrea extant native yes
Ethiopia extant native yes
Finland extant vagrant
France extant vagrant
Gambia extant vagrant yes
Georgia extant native yes yes
Germany extant vagrant
Ghana extant vagrant
Greece extant native yes yes yes
Hungary extant native yes yes
India extant native yes yes yes
Iran, Islamic Republic of extant native yes yes yes
Iraq extant native yes yes yes
Israel extant native yes
Italy extant native yes
Jordan extant native yes yes
Kazakhstan extant native yes yes
Kenya extant native yes
Kuwait extant native yes yes
Kyrgyzstan extant native yes yes
Lebanon extant native yes
Libya extant native yes
Malawi extant vagrant
Mali extant native yes
Malta extant vagrant
Mauritania extant native yes yes
Moldova extant native yes
Mongolia extant native yes
Morocco extant native yes yes
Myanmar extant native yes
Nepal extant native yes yes
Netherlands extant vagrant
Niger extant native yes
Nigeria extant native yes
North Macedonia extant native yes
Norway extant vagrant
Oman extant native yes yes
Pakistan extant native yes yes
Palestine extant native yes
Poland extant vagrant
Portugal extant vagrant
Romania extant native yes yes
Russia extant native yes yes
Russia (Central Asian) extant native yes
Russia (European) extant native yes yes
Saudi Arabia extant native yes yes
Senegal extant native yes
Serbia extant native yes yes
Slovakia extant native yes
Slovenia extant vagrant
Somalia extant vagrant
South Sudan extant native yes
Spain extant vagrant
Sri Lanka extant vagrant yes
Sudan extant native yes yes
Sweden extant vagrant
Switzerland extant vagrant
Syria extant native yes yes
Tajikistan extant native yes yes
Tanzania extant vagrant yes
Togo extant vagrant yes
Tunisia extant native yes yes
Türkiye extant native yes yes yes
Turkmenistan extant native yes yes
Uganda extant native yes
Ukraine extant native yes
United Arab Emirates extant native yes yes
Uzbekistan extant native yes yes
Western Sahara extant native yes
Yemen extant native yes yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Armenia Dsegh
Armenia Gorayk
Armenia Khosrov Reserve
Armenia Meghri
Armenia Noravank
Bulgaria Besaparski Hills
Bulgaria Harsovska Reka
Bulgaria Karlukovski Karst
Bulgaria Lomovete
Bulgaria Ludogorie
Bulgaria Sakar
Bulgaria Sredna Gora
Bulgaria Studenets
Bulgaria Suha Reka
Bulgaria Vrachanski Balkan
Cyprus Adelphoi Forest - Papoutsa
Cyprus Cha Potami River
Cyprus Diarizos Valley
Cyprus Ezousa Valley and Cliffs
Cyprus Xeros Valley and Hanoutaris Cliffs
Georgia Iori Region
Greece Ikaria island
Greece Ios, Sikinos and Folegandros islands
Greece Islands and islets of northern Dodecanese
Greece Kalymnos, Telendos, Kalolimnos islands and surrounding islets
Greece Mount Dikaios, lake Psalidi and Alyki lagoon, Kos
Greece Mount Mavrovouni, Larisa
Greece Mountains of Naxos
Greece South forest complex of Evros prefecture
Greece Southwestern Lesvos and Petrified forest
Greece Western, eastern and southern Rhodes
North Macedonia River Pchinja-river Petroshnica-river Kriva Reka
North Macedonia River Topolka-river Babuna-river Bregalnica
Romania Aliman - Adamclisi
Romania Babadag wood
Romania Băneasa - Canaraua Fetei
Romania Dealurile Dorobanţu
Romania Dobrogei gorge
Romania Hagieni forest
Romania Măcin - Niculiţel
Romania Stepa Casimcea
Romania Stepa Saraiu - Horea
Russia (European) Bogdinsko-Baskunchakski
Russia (European) Bulukhta area
Russia (European) Kasumkentski reserve
Russia (European) Zolotarevskaya area
Serbia Gornji Visok and Vidlic
Türkiye Obruk Plateau

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial Arable Land suitable resident
Artificial/Terrestrial Plantations suitable breeding
Forest Temperate suitable resident
Grassland Subtropical/Tropical Dry suitable resident
Grassland Temperate suitable resident
Rocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks) suitable resident
Shrubland Mediterranean-type Shrubby Vegetation suitable resident
Altitude 0 - 3900 m Occasional altitudinal limits (max) 5000 m

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Agro-industry farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Whole (>90%) Negligible declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion, Other
Agriculture & aquaculture Livestock farming & ranching - Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Agriculture & aquaculture Wood & pulp plantations - Agro-industry plantations Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Intentional use (species is the target) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Species mortality
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Persecution/control Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Species mortality
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Climate change & severe weather Habitat shifting & alteration Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Indirect ecosystem effects
Energy production & mining Mining & quarrying Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Reduced reproductive success
Energy production & mining Renewable energy Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Species mortality
Human intrusions & disturbance Recreational activities Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Species disturbance, Reduced reproductive success
Natural system modifications Fire & fire suppression - Increase in fire frequency/intensity Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Pollution Agricultural & forestry effluents - Herbicides and pesticides Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Species mortality
Pollution Garbage & solid waste Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success
Transportation & service corridors Utility & service lines Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Species mortality

Utilisation
Purpose Scale
Unknown national, international

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/long-legged-buzzard-buteo-rufinus on 23/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/11/2024.



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