Page 138 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

BIRDS OF PREY
Order Accipitriformes Family Accipitridae Species Buteo buteo
Buzzard short, broad
head
round shoulders;
hunched shape
soars with
wings raised dark, rich brown
upperparts
cream head pale
pale, underside
finely with dark
barred ADULT chest
tail
pale “U”
across
middle
barred pale
underwings dark wrist
with dark tips patch
IN FLIGHT ADULT (PALE VARIANT)

FLIGHT: quick with slightly jerky, stiff wingbeats;
soars with wings in “V”, rising in broad circles.
ne of the most common and most widespread
Oof birds of prey, the Buzzard is therefore a useful
yardstick by which to judge other, rarer birds. It is, short, round
tail
however, well worth watching in its own right, too, ADULT
being an impressive and exciting raptor. It is very
variable, albeit around a relatively constant basic
pattern. It soars in wavering, rising circles over nesting
woods and perches on telegraph poles and fence posts.
In some areas, such as the wooded valleys of Wales, it
may be the most common bird of prey.
VOICE Noisy; frequent ringing pee-yaah scream or
weaker mew; calls often while flying.
NESTING Stick nest in tree, or at base of bush on cliff
ledge; 2–4 eggs; 1 brood; March–June.
FEEDING Catches small mammals, rabbits, beetles, HEAD TO WIND
earthworms, and some birds; eats much dead meat, A Buzzard is able to hang motionless in the wind while searching for
including road-kill rabbits. food; it also hovers rather heavily with deep wingbeats in calmer air.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Widespread except in far N Europe
GOLDEN EAGLE soars on flat (summer visitor in NE Europe), in
see p.126 or drooped
wings wooded farmland, hills, and moors
plainer near crags and forest. Many move
underwings
to Low Countries and France in
longer, slim winter, occupying low, flat ground
three-banded head with scattered woodland.
bigger tail
HONEY BUZZARD Seen in the UK
see p.137 J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 50–57cm (20–22 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 1.13–1.28m (3 3 ⁄4 –4 1 ⁄4ft) Weight 550–1,200g (20–43oz)
Social Family groups Lifespan Up to 25 years Status Secure
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