Eurasian Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Common Buzzard, Angus, Scotland, July 2002 - click for larger image

The Eurasian Buzzard is found throughout most of Europe and northern Asia into Japan. While it is resident all year round in central and western Europe as well as Japan, it is migratory elsewhere with the Asian populations wintering in eastern and southern Africa, China and Indo-china. See the distribution map at Birdlife International. It is one of the most common raptors in these areas and is generally easy to see whether perched or flying.

Common Buzzard, Findorn Valley, Invernessshire, Scotland, September 2002 - click for larger image It thrives in a variety of habitats but requires some sort of tree cover for its nest. It feeds on small mammals such as voles and rabbits, nestlings and fledglings, lizards, etc., and is also a scavenger frequently to be seen at road-kills. It can find its prey by gliding or soaring but more commonly catches its prey dropping down from a perch on a branch, rock or fence-post.
Common Buzzard, Angus, Scotland, July 2002 - click for larger image It has very variable plumage but almost always shows a pale band across the lower chest. In flight it shows broad wings and a short tail often fanned out.
Common Buzzard, Aviemore, Scotland, August 2005 - click for larger image This shot shows a juvenile bird which lacks the broader, dark terminal tail band of the adult
Eurasian Buzzard, Monks Eleigh, Suffolk, England, August 2015 - click for larger image
Previous Page Back to Index Next Page

If you do not see a menu on the left, you may have arrived at this page from another site. Please click Home to get to my main page.
Fatbirder's Top 1000 Birding Websites