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Buzzard

Buteo buteo

With piercing eyes, broad wings and a distinctive 'mewing' call, this adaptable raptor is a common sight soaring over fields and woodlands across Europe and beyond.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Buzzard exhibits a wide variety of plumage colours, ranging from dark chocolate-brown to pale cream. Its broad wings and short, fan-shaped tail are characteristic features, and its wingspan of 113-128 cm makes it an impressive sight in flight.

Both sexes are similar in appearance, with females usually larger than males. Juveniles tend to have lighter plumage with more streaking (not barred). All Buzzards have yellow legs, a dark-tipped hooked beak, and piercing dark eyes.

Size

Length

51cm to 57cm

Wingspan

113cm to 128cm

Weight

550g to 1.2kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown

Secondary Colour

White Black

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Buzzard can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Buzzard is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Buzzard is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Buzzard is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Buzzard is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Buzzard can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Buzzard can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Buzzard is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Buzzard is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Buzzard is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Buzzard is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Buzzard is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Buzzards thrive in various habitats, including woodlands, farmland, and grasslands across Europe and parts of Asia. They prefer areas with a mix of open ground for hunting and trees for nesting and perching.

In the UK, Buzzards are now widespread, having recolonised eastern areas in recent decades. Some northern populations migrate south for winter, while others are resident year-round, depending on food availability.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Buzzard. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Passage
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Bahrain Belarus Belgium Bulgaria China Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary India Iran Iraq Israel Italy Kazakhstan Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Latvia Lebanon Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Malta Moldova Nepal Netherlands Oman Pakistan Poland Portugal Romania Russia Saudi Arabia Slovakia Slovenia South Sudan Spain Sweden Switzerland Syria The United Kingdom Turkey Turkmenistan Ukraine United Arab Emirates Yemen
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina Ireland Monaco Montenegro Norway Russia Serbia Spain
Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season
Afghanistan Algeria Angola Bangladesh Bhutan Botswana Burundi Central African Republic Congo Côte D'Ivoire Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Egypt Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia Gabon Gibraltar Kenya Lesotho Liberia Libya Malawi Mauritania Morocco Mozambique Namibia Rwanda Senegal South Africa Sri Lanka Tajikistan Tanzania Tunisia Uganda Uzbekistan Western Sahara Zambia Zimbabwe
Species that pass through the area during migration
Jordan Palestine Sudan
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Cameroon Chad Faroe Islands Gambia Ghana Iceland Maldives Mali Nigeria Qatar Sierra Leone Somalia Togo

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Buzzard demonstrates remarkable agility in flight, with its broad wings allowing for effortless soaring and impressive aerial displays. Their ability to perform spectacular manoeuvres during courtship, including spiraling flights and talon-grappling, showcases their high level of aerial prowess.

Strength 70

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a medium-sized raptor, the Buzzard possesses considerable strength for its size. Its ability to carry prey and construct sturdy nests of sticks indicates good physical power. However, it's not as strong as larger birds of prey, hence the moderate rating.

Adaptability 90

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Buzzards exhibit exceptional adaptability, thriving in various habitats from sea level to 2,00 metres elevation. Their opportunistic diet, ranging from small mammals to carrion, and their ability to adjust to different environments, including human-altered landscapes, demonstrates their highly adaptive nature.

Aggressiveness 60

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While Buzzards are predators and can be territorial, especially during breeding season, they're not considered highly aggressive birds. Their preference for smaller prey and their tendency to avoid confrontation with larger raptors suggests a moderate level of aggression.

Endurance 80

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Buzzard's ability to soar for extended periods using thermal currents indicates good endurance. Their potential to live up to 25 years in the wild, coupled with some populations undertaking seasonal migrations, further supports their high endurance rating. However, they're not known for extremely long-distance flights, which prevents a top-tier score.

Diet

Buzzards are opportunistic hunters with a varied diet. They primarily feed on small mammals, especially voles and rabbits, but also consume birds, reptiles, and large insects. During scarce times, they'll scavenge carrion, demonstrating their adaptability.

Other prey includes rodents and shrews, hares, reptiles like lizards and snakes, frogs and toads, beetles, earthworms and other invertebrates.

Behaviour

Buzzards are often seen perched prominently on poles or trees, scanning for prey. They're masters of energy conservation, frequently soaring on thermal currents with minimal wing movement.

During the breeding season, pairs perform spectacular aerial displays, including spiralling flights and talon-grappling.

Vocalisation

The Buzzard's most recognisable call is a plaintive, cat-like 'pee-yow' or 'kee-yah', often heard during territorial displays or when alarmed.

During courtship, pairs may engage in a series of high-pitched mewing calls, adding to the soundscape of European woodlands.

Nesting & Breeding

Buzzard pairs often mate for life, reinforcing their bond with impressive aerial displays in early spring. They typically breed once a year, with the season starting in March or April.

Nests are built in tall trees or on cliffs, constructed of sticks and lined with fresh leaves. The female usually lays 2-3 eggs, which are white with brown speckles.

Incubation lasts about 33-38 days, primarily by the female. Chicks fledge after 50-60 days but remain dependent on their parents for several weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While the Buzzard is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces threats from habitat loss and illegal persecution.

In some areas, particularly in the UK, populations have recovered significantly following past declines due to pesticide use and hunting.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

2,038,000 - 3,463,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Buzzards soaring in wide circles over open countryside
  • Listen for their distinctive 'mewing', cat-like call, especially during the breeding season
  • Their wings form a shallow V-shape when soaring
  • Observe fence posts and isolated trees in fields for perched individuals
  • In the UK, they're commonly seen along motorways, utilising updrafts from traffic

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Common Buzzard, European Buzzard, Eurasian Buzzard

Family:

Accipitridae

Average Lifespan

8 years

Max Lifespan

28.8 years [4]

Predators

Adult Buzzards have few natural predators, but eggs and chicks may fall victim to martens, foxes, and larger birds of prey such as Eagle Owls.

Did You Know?

  1. Buzzards can live up to 25 years in the wild, making them one of the longer-lived raptor species.
  2. They have excellent eyesight and can spot prey over a kilometre away.
  3. Buzzards have been observed hunting cooperatively in pairs in some parts of their range.
  4. The Common Buzzard can reach speeds of up to 28 mph and fly at an average height of 400 metres - but has been known to reach heights of 1,000 metres.

FAQs

Why do Buzzards call?

Buzzards call for a variety of reasons. They vocalise when chasing other Buzzards out of their territory, when alarmed by humans or predators, and when arriving back at their nest.

Why do Buzzards sit in fields?

It is not unusual to see Buzzards perched in fields, sometimes in good numbers. They are attracted by worms and other ground invertebrates, often after rain or ploughing operations.

What is a group of Buzzards called?

The collective nouns to describe a group of Buzzards are as follows:

  • a flock of buzzards
  • a kettle of buzzards
  • a wake of buzzards

Why do Buzzards fly so high?

Buzzards can soar at heights of several hundred meters while expending very little energy. They use thermal updrafts and their large, broad wings to stay airborne for long periods while flapping their wings very little.

Like so many other birds of prey, their eyesight is extraordinary and they can watch for food from such great heights while remaining barely visible to their unsuspecting victim on the ground below.

How fast can Buzzards fly?

The Buzzard may not have the speed of hunters like the Peregrine Falcon, but they are powerful in flight nonetheless. They can reach speeds of 28 miles per hour in level flight but are much faster when swooping down on their prey. The similarly built Red-Tailed Hawk of America can reach up to 120 miles per hour when diving.

Why do Crows chase Buzzards?

Crows regularly mob Buzzards and other birds of prey to drive them away from the area. However, the tables can turn as Buzzards may catch and kill crows and other birds from the corvid family.

Can Buzzards hover?

Some Buzzards will try to perform some type of hover, but it's relatively uncommon and won't last for more than a few seconds at a time.

The most likely time you'll see a buzzard 'hovering' is when there's a headwind they can use that makes them appear stationary in the air. Some individuals develop more of a habit of doing it than others.

References

  1. 1 2 3

    website: BirdLife International. 2021. Buteo buteo. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T61695117A206634667.

    View source
  2. 4

    website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds

    View source

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