Common Buzzard

The Common Buzzard is a medium-large, broad-winged raptor and the most widespread and familiar bird of prey across much of Europe. It belongs to the genus Buteo, the same group as the Red-tailed Hawk in North America, and shares that group's stocky build and soaring habits.

Plumage is extremely variable, ranging from very pale, almost whitish birds to dark chocolate-brown individuals, with most showing a mottled brown back, streaked pale underparts, and a barred tail. This variability can make individual identification tricky, but the overall shape is distinctive.

Buzzards are most often observed soaring in wide circles over open country or perched prominently on fence posts, poles, or bare trees scanning for prey.

Key field marks

• Broad, rounded wings held in a shallow V (dihedral) when soaring
• Short, fan-shaped tail, often finely barred
• Highly variable plumage from pale to dark brown
• Stocky build with a relatively short neck in flight
• Frequent soaring in circles, often mobbed by crows

Similar species

• Honey Buzzard: longer tail, smaller head, and different wing shape and flight action, with less frequent hovering-style soaring
• Rough-legged Buzzard: pale tail with a dark terminal band and habit of hovering, plus feathered legs
• Eagles: much larger with longer, more evenly broad wings and different proportions

Behavior cues

A buzzard's mewing call while soaring in wide circles over open ground, often harassed by crows, is a classic identification cue distinct from other raptors.

Habitat

Found in a wide variety of open and semi-open habitats including farmland, woodland edges, moorland, and hillsides, generally avoiding dense unbroken forest and treeless open plains.

Range

Widespread across almost all of Europe and much of temperate Asia, from Britain and Ireland east through Russia; some populations extend into North Africa and the Middle East in winter.

Migration

Western and southern European populations are largely resident, while northern and eastern populations, especially those breeding in Scandinavia and Russia, are migratory, moving south to wintering grounds in southern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Behavior

Common Buzzards are often solitary or in pairs, defending breeding territories, though migrating birds can form loose flocks or "kettles" riding thermals during migration.

Voice

A distinctive, plaintive mewing call, often rendered as "pee-yoo," frequently given while soaring and sounding somewhat cat-like.

Feeding

Hunts mainly small mammals such as voles and rabbits, along with birds, reptiles, and large insects; also readily takes carrion and earthworms, especially after rain or plowing.

Nesting and breeding

Builds a large stick nest in a tree or occasionally on a cliff ledge, reused and added to over years. Clutches typically contain 2–4 eggs, incubated mainly by the female while the male provides food.