Buzzard

Buzzard — The Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a bird of prey, whose range covers most of Europe and extends into Asia. It is typically between 51-57 cm in length with a 110 to 130 cm wingspan, making it a medium-sized raptor. It is usually resident all year except in the coldest parts of its range, and in the case of one subspecies.

It breeds in woodland, but usually hunts over open land. It eats mainly small mammals, and will come to carrion.

Buzzards do not normally form flocks, but several may be seen together on migration or in good habitat. The Victorian writer on Dart moor, William Crossing, noted that he had on occasions seen flocks of 15 or more at some places.

This broad-winged raptor has a wide variety of plumages, and in Europe can be confused with the similar Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lag opus) and the only distantly related Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus), which mimics the Common Buzzard’s plumage for a degree of protection from Goshawks.