Buzzard Babies?

Flash back to 2012, when I got the chance to help Shane McPherson capture a juvenile Crowned Eagle for his MSc project.  I was nervous holding that young bird, but enjoyed the experience. This year, we have been using our free time on the weekends to capture other raptor species.

During the first trip with Esma, an intern from Canada, we captured a Long-Crested Eagle. Then on our last two trips, we caught a juvenile and adult Jackal Buzzard.  However, each capture is just as thrilling as the first!

Aug. 7^th, 2013. Shane and I went out to a property in Richmond, KZN, South Africa. A juvenile Crowned Eagle has been spotted here quite regularly.  There was no Crowned Eagle to greet us, but on the way back to PMB, Shane spotted a Jackal Buzzard. After a short drive through the field and chatting with the farm staff we had permission to trap. Shane drove toward to raptor sitting on a power line and I placed the trap out. As we circled around, it was not long before the bird was caught. When we drove back towards it, I jumped out to secure it.

Once it was safely secured, the processing began. A metal band was placed on the leg to give it a unique ID. Measurement and blood were taken. The information gathered here will be part of a project on Jackal Buzzards conducted by a postdoc student at UKZN.

My favorite part was holding the relatively small buzzard (when compared to a Cape Vulture). The size of the bird, reminded me of the size of a baby.  Strange, I feel more comfortable holding a wild buzzard than an actually baby! Then the release! It is so much fun to see and feel a raptor take off right in front of you. It is nice to hold a baby and then give it back! 

First Jackal Buzzard! A juvenile. 

Tail feather spread. 

Adult Jackal Buzzard. 

The release.