Animals

The Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a medium to large 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 150 cm (1 metre to a metre and half) (48–60 inch) wingspan, making it a medium-sized raptor.

There are around 40,000 breeding pairs in Britain. It is usually resident all year, except in the coldest parts of its range, and in the case of one subspecies.

The buzzard, although not a native of the Eastern Counties, is apt to appear in both Lincolnshire and Norfolk from time to time. Basically this, our largest and most graceful bird of prey, prefers wooded hillsides, and is mostly found in Wales and Scotland. However, it does turn up in the most unexpected localities, and it is as well to acquaint ourselves with it.

The buzzard is easily distinguished from all other species of hawk by its size alone. The wingspan may vary between 48 inches to 60 inches with a body length of some 20 inches. Its plumage is a rich brown, with lighter markings beneath. In flight the wings have a ragged, moth-like appearance as this bird glides to and fro at a tremendous height.
It is a slow flier, and has little chance of catching its prey on the move. The usual tactics which it adopts is to perch motionless on a branch of a large tree, its markings being excellent camouflage, rendering it almost invisible. It is a patient bird, quite content to sit for hours at a time until a young rabbit, a rat or a mouse chances to pass beneath it. Then it will swoop down on to its unsuspecting prey.
Common Buzzards feed mainly on Rabbits but will take just about any small mammal, reptile and often carrion. The birds can occasionally be seen standing proudly on a piece of road kill defending it whilst they eat. Many smaller birds such as crows and Jacdaws see them as a threat and will harry them into moving from a particular tree or area by mobbing them repeatedly until they fly away.
The ‘mewing‘ of the buzzard is unmistakable as it soars in the sky, calling frequently. Wood pigeons and songsters flee at its appearance, yet rarely do they fall prey to this large hawk.
Common Buzzards have a wingspan of 100-130cms, with the females weighing as much as 1.3 kilograms. Males tend to weigh less and as such are the more efficient hunters and fliers.
The female lays between 2 and 4 eggs, sharing the 33-35 day job of incubation with the male bird. The young leave the nest after a couple of months, becoming fully independant at around 5 months, and becoming active breeders after 2-3 years.

The Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a medium to large 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 150 cm (1 metre to a metre and half) (48–60 inch) wingspan, making it a medium-sized raptor. There are around 40,000 breeding pairs in Britain. It is usually resident all year, except in the coldest parts of its range, and in the case of one subspecies.

In the breeding range in northern, eastern and central Europe, voles are the most important prey, and other small rodents, birds, frogs, and insects are also taken. Buzzards also feed on carrion and invertebrates, including earthworms). In the winter range in southern Africa, prey includes rodents, lizards, and insects. Most prey are captured after a descent from a perch, but this species also soars to locate potential food, and it also hovers like a kestrel.
Builds a large platform stick nest lined with smaller sticks and green foliage and usually placed in a tree, but sometimes on rock ledges or on quarry faces (Tubbs 1972, Tubbs and Tubbs 1985). Clutch size is 2-4 white eggs with brown markings. The incubation period is 28-30 days. Sometimes rather unwary near the nest.

The preferred habitat of Common Buzzards is open countryside with small areas of woodland or the edges of more densely wooded areas. With decreased persecution, they are often being found closer to populated areas, where they can scavenge waste.

Common Buzzards prey mainly on small rodents and mammals, though they will take reptiles, amphibians, large insects, invertebrates and young birds.

Common Buzzards are regularly mobbed by crows, rooks, ravens and jackdaws. Buzzards are relatively unmanoeuvrable in the air, the mobbing birds get above the buzzard & force it to the ground, occasionally a small group of larger birds can kill the buzzard, usually with their sharp beaks.