Long-tailed Honey Buzzard

Description:

Also known as just Long-tailed Buzzard. Large Hawk, 51-61cm and wingspan 105-140cm, with females somewhat heavier. (Males 450-630gms, females 570-730gms.) In flight it has a distinctive silhouette with a small head, slender body and long rounded tail. Wings are broad and rounded and thrown forward with primaries spread. Underparts pale with dark brown streaking and underwing and tail show three clear bars with a more obscure fourth bar (more visible in juvs.). Cere is pale and the bill is relatively small. The eye is a pale yellow.

Habitat:

An Endemic to New Guinea, This species is usually seen soaring over hill and montane rain forest. This one seen over forest at Ok Menga near Tabubil, Western PNG.

Notes:

Although this species is quite common, this was the closest I got to one during my visit.