Lizard Buzzard
Lizard BuzzardLizard BuzzardLizard BuzzardLizard Buzzard

Lizard Buzzard

Kaupifalco monogrammicus

Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
at Masai Mara National Reserve
9 Verified sightings at Masai Mara National Reserve From 2019 to 2026
2,566 Verified sightings across all 39 parks From 2019 to 2026
January Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Lizard Buzzard

The lizard buzzard (Kaupifalco monogrammicus), or lizard hawk, is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is the only species placed in the genus Kaupifalco. It is native to Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite its name, it may be more closely related to the Accipiter hawks than the Buteo buzzards.

Molecular phylogenetic studies have revealed that the lizard buzzard is not closely related to Buteo buzzards but rather to Accipiter hawks. This extends to morphological associations, e.g. the lizard buzzard has pointed and fairly short wings. Despite the lizard buzzard inhabiting Africa, phylogenetic evidence indicates that its closest relatives are the two Microspizias hawks of Central and South America.

The lizard buzzard is a smallish stocky raptor with a total body length of 35–37 cm and a wingspan of about 79 cm. Males weigh 246 g, females 304 g on average. The upperparts, head and breast are grey. There is a vertical black line on the white throat, which distinguishes this species from all other raptors. The belly is white with fine dark barring. The underwings are white with dark tips. The tail is black with a white tip and a single white band. The eyes... Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Masai Mara National Reserve

White-backed Vulture
CR

White-backed Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Gyps africanus

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely
Bateleur
EN

Bateleur

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Terathopius ecaudatus

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely
Tawny Eagle
VU

Tawny Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aquila rapax

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely
Lappet-faced Vulture
EN

Lappet-faced Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Torgos tracheliotos

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely
Black-winged Kite
LC

Black-winged Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Elanus caeruleus

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
Black-breasted Snake Eagle
LC

Black-breasted Snake Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circaetus pectoralis

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
Hooded Vulture
CR

Hooded Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Necrosyrtes monachus

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
Ruppell's griffon

Ruppell's griffon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Gyps rueppellii

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
African Fish-Eagle
LC

African Fish-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus vocifer

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
Martial Eagle
EN

Martial Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Polemaetus bellicosus

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
Dark Chanting-Goshawk
LC

Dark Chanting-Goshawk

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melierax metabates

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
Brown Snake Eagle
LC

Brown Snake Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circaetus cinereus

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Kibale National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
~30%
2 Niokolo-Koba National Park 🇸🇳 Senegal
~30%
3 Gorongosa National Park 🇲🇿 Mozambique
~20%
4 Kafue National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
~20%
5 Meru National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
~10%
6 Mikumi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~10%
7 Hwange National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
~10%
8 Semuliki National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
~10%
9 South Luangwa National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
~10%
10 Mana Pools National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
~10%
11 Tsavo East National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
~10%
12 Ruaha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~10%
13 Lower Zambezi National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
~10%
14 Gonarezhou National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
~10%
15 Akagera National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
~10%
16 Queen Elizabeth National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
~10%
17 Murchison Falls National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
~10%
18 Liwonde National Park 🇲🇼 Malawi
~10%
19 Kidepo Valley National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
20 Arusha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
21 Virunga National Park 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo
<5%
22 Kruger National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
<5%
23 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
24 Lake Mburo National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
25 Mkomazi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
26 Volcanoes National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
<5%
27 Tsavo West National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
28 Chobe National Park 🇧🇼 Botswana
<5%
29 iSimangaliso Wetland Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
<5%
30 Serengeti National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
31 Tarangire National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
32 Moremi Game Reserve 🇧🇼 Botswana
<5%
33 Ngorongoro Conservation Area 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
34 Masai Mara National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
35 Nairobi National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
36 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
Insufficient data
37 Lake Manyara National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
38 Nyungwe National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
Insufficient data
39 Samburu National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Lizard Buzzard in Masai Mara National Reserve?

Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Lizard Buzzard sighting in Masai Mara National Reserve, based on 9 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Lizard Buzzard in Masai Mara National Reserve?

January has the highest sighting rate for Lizard Buzzard in Masai Mara National Reserve in our monthly data.

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