Common Buzzards
Birds of Prey
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The Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a bird of prey from the Old World (Europa, Asia, and Africa). It is typically between 51-57 cm in length with a 110 to 130 cm wingspan, making it a medium-sized raptor. Its 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 dead animals.
Buzzards do not normally form flocks, but several may be seen together 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 Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus) and the only distantly related Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus), which mimics the Common Buzzard's plumage for a degree of protection from Northern Goshawks.
The call is a plaintive peea-ay, similar to a cat's meow.
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Related Web Resources: Common Buzzard (Birds of Britain)
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