Discover the Fascinating World of the Black-Breasted Buzzard: Witness How This Majestic Bird Hunts for Its Prey
The vast range of the Black-Breasted Buzzard covers most of Australia, favoring regions with lower levels of rainfall. However, these striking birds are notably absent in Victoria and Tasmania, where wetter and milder climates prevail. Their preferred habitats include wooded areas as well as open landscapes, although sightings of them in riparian forests, which are wooded areas bordering bodies of water, are also common.
When it comes to their diet, the Black-Breasted Buzzards are not picky eaters and are known to be opportunistic hunters. While their menu often consists of small reptiles, mammals, and birds, they also have a taste for scavenging on the carrion of larger animals found on the sides of roads. In their quest for food, these birds employ various tactics such as perching at great heights to observe, gliding over low vegetation, and even engaging in cooperative hunting with other birds of prey. However, what truly sets the Black-Breasted Buzzard apart is its ingenious use of tools.
Regarded as the “Sharpest Tool in the Shed,” the Black-Breasted Buzzard’s tool-wielding abilities were first documented by the Aboriginals and later by ornithologist John Gould in the 19th century. Despite these early accounts, it took several decades for researchers to witness this behavior in the wild. These birds have been observed selecting sizable rocks and repeatedly dropping them on eggs to access the food inside. While they are often labeled as nest raiders in general, the Black-Breasted Buzzards are frequently seen leveraging rocks to crack open large Emu eggs.
Emu eggs are typically laid by female Emus in ground nests constructed from sticks, leaves, and rocks. Although these nests are sturdy, they are no match for the resourcefulness of opportunistic hunters like the Black-Breasted Buzzard. These birds typically grasp round rocks weighing between 15 to 65 grams and drop them on Emu eggs until the contents are exposed. A study published in a 1990 issue of Emu-Austral Ornithology revealed that the accuracy of the buzzard’s egg-breaking technique improves with practice. Moreover, scientists believe that this tool-using behavior is instinctive, as even young buzzards raised away from their parents demonstrate the same skills.
Despite consuming food that would prove fatal to other animals, the Black-Breasted Buzzards possess some of the keenest senses in the avian world. Coupled with their innovative use of tools, these birds stand out as one of the most intelligent and resourceful birds of prey known to mankind. Dive deeper into the captivating world of the Black-Breasted Buzzard by watching the video linked here.
Embark on a journey to witness the remarkable ways in which a Buzzard secures its next meal by clicking on the video provided. Delve into the
