Steppe buzzard on a branch. The Steppe buzzard (Buteo buteo vulpinus) is a variant of the common buzzard (Buteo buteo), but is distinguished by its smaller size, and longer wings and tail. It is a medium-sized bird of prey that breeds from east Europe eastward to the Far East, excluding Japan. It overwinters in Africa, India and southeastern Asia. Photographed in Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa.