Black-breasted Buzzard - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Hamirostra melanosternon

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 01 Dec 2017

Description

The Black-breasted Buzzard is one of the larger Australian birds of prey, with a wingspan of up to 1.5 metres. The wings are noticeably long, relative to its body and its short square tail. In flight this species is also recognised by its black breast and the conspicuous white patches at the base of the black ‘fingered’ primaries. At rest, it has a reddish nape against the black face and back.

Distribution

The Black-breasted Buzzard is found sparsely in areas of less than 500mm rainfall, from north-western NSW and north-eastern South Australia to the east coast at about Rockhampton, then across northern Australia south almost to Perth, avoiding only the Western Australian deserts.

Habitat and ecology

Lives in a range of inland habitats, especially along timbered watercourses which is the preferred breeding habitat.
Also hunts over grasslands and sparsely timbered woodlands.
Not a powerful hunter, despite its size, mostly taking reptiles, small mammals, birds, including nestlings, and carrion.
Also specialises in feeding on large eggs, including those of emus, which it cracks on a rock.
Breeds from August to October near water in a tall tree. The stick nest is large and flat and lined with green leaves. Normally two eggs are laid.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Clearing of trees along inland watercourses.
Degradation of foraging habitat through overgrazing and tree clearing.
Illegal egg collection and shooting.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Encourage less intense grazing regimes in areas of foraging habitat.
Protect nesting habitat along watercourses.
Report suspected egg collection or shooting of birds.

Information sources

Marchant, S. and Higgins, P.J. (Eds) (1993) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 2: Raptors to Lapwings. (Oxford University Press, Melbourne)
Olsen, P. (1995) Australian Birds of Prey. (UNSW Press, Sydney)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Liverpool Plains	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Moonie-Barwon Interfluve	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Narrandool	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Northern Basalts	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Pilliga	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Pilliga Outwash	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Talbragar Valley	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range	Known	None
Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range Outwash	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Mootwingee Downs	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Scopes Range	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Bulloo	Known	None
Channel Country	Bulloo Dunefields	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Central Depression	Known	None
Channel Country	Core Ranges	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Sturt Stony Desert	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Barnato Downs	Predicted	None
Cobar Peneplain	Boorindal Plains	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Canbelego Downs	Predicted	None
Cobar Peneplain	Lachlan Plains	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Nymagee	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Bogan-Macquarie	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Castlereagh-Barwon	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Culgoa-Bokhara	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Great Darling Anabranch	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Louth Plains	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Menindee	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Pooncarie-Darling	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Warrambool-Moonie	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Wilcannia Plains	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Cuttaburra-Paroo	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Kerribree Basin	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Nebine Plains	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo Overflow	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo-Darling Sands	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Urisino Sandplains	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Plains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Sands	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	West Warrego	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	White Cliffs Plateau	Known	None
Murray Darling Depression	Darling Depression	Known	None
Murray Darling Depression	South Olary Plain	Known	None
Nandewar	Peel	Known	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Capertee Valley	Predicted	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Inland Slopes	Predicted	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Lower Slopes	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None
Other State	VIC	Known	None
Riverina	Lachlan	Known	None
Riverina	Murray Fans	Predicted	None
Riverina	Murray Scroll Belt	Known	None
Riverina	Robinvale Plains	Known	None
Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields	Strzelecki Desert	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Capertee Uplands	Predicted	None
Sydney Basin	Kerrabee	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wollemi	Known	None

Images

Underside, in flight, Black-breasted Buzzard
Enlarge image

Nature conservation

Threatened species