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The Black-breasted Buzzard (Hamirostra melanosteron) is a magnificent large raptor with an outstretched wingspan measuring 147–156 cm.
I saw my first Black-breasted Buzzard while visiting the Eagles Heritage Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in the Margaret River region, Southwest Australia. I was extremely lucky to spot a pair in the wild on the side of the road feeding on carrion and this inspired me to paint this beautiful bird.
Black-breasted Buzzards are one of Australia's largest birds of prey and are widely, but sparsely, distributed throughout northern and inland Australia.
Commonly observed in forests and tall woodlands surrounded by shrublands, they hunt small mammals, birds and reptiles. Buzzards are known for special egg cracking skills and are usually monogamous, forming lifelong bonds.
These birds are listed as vulnerable in New South Wales and rare in South Australia. They are often victims of the large road trains that truck through the vast areas of Australia. Due to their large wingspan the birds are slow to take off and the trucks are not able to stop in time. Illegal egg collection and shooting are also contributing to the decline of these birds.
