Endemic to mainland Australia, the black-breasted buzzard (Hamirostra melanosternon) is named for the dark black or dark brown plumage on the adult bird's underparts. It is actually a very large member of the kite family rather than a true buzzard. It is one of the few birds in the world that regularly uses tools to hunt – instinctively using rocks to smash open giant emu, brolga, and bustard eggs by repeatedly slamming or dropping them on to the thick shells. The black breasted buzzard builds the largest nest of any raptor species in the world – nests can measure up to 1.2 meters across and 40 cm deep.
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