Common buzzard
The common buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a bird of prey, very widespread in the Old World. It lives in most of Europe and into Asia.
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| Buteo buteo (Linnaeus, 1758)
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| Dark green: All-year distribution Light green/blue: Breeding/winter range of Steppe Buzzard. | |
It is between 51 and 57 cm in length. The wings are between 110–150 cm (48–60 inch) when spread out. They may be coloured from almost pure white to black. Usually, they are brown.
Buzzards breed in woodlands. It hunts over open land. It eats mainly small prey, such as insects, rodents, small birds and eggs. It may also take prey heavier than itself, like adult grouse, and rabbits. It can be seen walking over recently ploughed fields looking for worms and insects.
Buzzards do not normally form flocks, but several may be seen together on migration or in a good habitat. Pairs mate for life.
Some 16 subspecies have been described and up to 11 may be valid. Some authors accept as few as seven.[2]
Common Buzzard Media
Buteo buteo rothschildi – MHNT
The steppe race of the common buzzard (B. b. vulpinus) is usually distinguished from the nominate race (B. b. buteo) by being more rufous in hue (and more polymorphic)
Buteo buteo vulpinus – MHNT
A dark individual from Europe
A pale individual in Europe
Although they can look compact when perched, buzzards may appear large and long-winged in flight.
Juvenile forest buzzards of Africa are extremely easy to mistake for juvenile common buzzards of the steppe race that come to winter in Africa.
Common buzzard often inhabit the interface of woods and open areas.
Buzzards spend much of their day perched.
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References
- ↑ BirdLife International (2004). Buteo buteo. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern |
- ↑ Ferguson-Lees & others Raptors of the World. ISBN 0713680261
- Clouet, Michel and Wink, Michael (2000): The Buzzards of Cape Verde (Buteo (buteo) bannermani) and Socotra (Buteo buteo spp.) - First results of a genetic analysis based on nucleotide sequences of the cytochrome b gene. Alauda 68(1): 55-58. PDF fulltext
- Mullarney, Svensson, Zetterstrom and Grant, Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0-00-219728-6
