Common Buzzard

Common Buzzard
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae Genus: Buteo Species: buteo
Binomial name
Buteo buteo

The Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a bird of prey from the Old World. Its is typically between 110 to 130 centimetres, making it a medium-sized raptor. The range covers most of Europe and extends into Asia. It is resident except in the coldest parts of its range.

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

Buzzards are the largest bird of prey to be found in most of England. They are increasing their range in Great Britain, and spreading east from their former western strongholds.

Buzzards do not normally form flocks, but several may be seen togther on migration or in good habitat. The Victorian writer on Dartmoor, 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 Honey Buzzard, Pernis apivorus, and Rough-legged Buzzard[?], Buteo lagopus.

public domain image from a 1905 field guide (http://www.biologie.uni-hamburg.de/b-online/birds/naumann.htm)

"Buzzard" is an increasingly obsolete term in North America for vultures, particularly the Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura.