Kites, Old World Vultures, Eagles, and Hawks
Himalayan Buzzard
Buteo refectus
- Family
- Kites, Old World Vultures, Eagles, and Hawks (Accipitridae)
- Order
- Accipitriformes
Overview
The Himalayan buzzard (Buteo refectus) is a medium to large bird of prey that was formerly considered a subspecies of the widespread common buzzard (Buteo buteo). It is native to the Himalayas in Nepal, India and adjacent mountains of southern China.
It was formerly given the scientific name Buteo burmanicus, but this name is now known to have been previously applied to the migratory mainland Asian subspecies of the eastern buzzard (B. japonicus burmanicus), and the Himalayan buzzard was thus renamed Buteo refectus.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Range and habitat
Breeds from the western Himalayas in northern India eastward to montane south-central China (Sichuan and Gansu); winters to southeast Asia.
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Himalayan buzzard
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.
