| Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo (Linnaeus, 1758)) |
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Scientific name: Buteo buteo (Linnaeus, 1758) Common name: Common Buzzard French name: Buse variable Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae Size: Body size : 51 to 57 cm; Wingspan : 113 to 135 cm; Weight : Females : 700 to 1300 g ; Males : 550 to 1000 g Habitat: Forest and woodlands next to open areas for food hunting, cultivated areas. Rare in intensive farming areas missing high trees. Food: Small mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and insects. The Common Buzzard may also feed on carrion during food shortage. Nesting: The nest is located in a high tree, at a height exceeding 6 meters. It is built with twigs and roots and lined with green leaves. Females lay 3 to 4 eggs between April and July. Migration: Partially migratory, birds from northern Europe and from central Europe fly to western Europe in winter. Geographic area: Europe, Asia, Africa. |
The Common Buzzard is a common bird of prey. It has a large body with a short head and a rather short tail. The colour of the plumage is variable from one bird to the other. The over side is usually dark brown and the chest is mottled with white. The bill is hooked and curved from its base. The iris is a dark colour. The wings are broad and held in a shallow 'V' when soaring. The short tail is fan-shaped and barred by several dark straight lines. You can often observe the Common Buzzard perched on posts from where it looks for preys. It emits a high-pitched call you can hear very far. The Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus) can be mistaken for a Common Buzzard. It differs by a longer neck and a longer and thinner tail. |
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Here is a rather white form observed in flight. |
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This Common Buzzard has landed, far from me, on the other side of the pond. You will have to wait a little more to enjoy a close-up view. |
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It takes time to get closer, be patient … |
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Here is one form with a very white head. |
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This photo was taken just after the Common Buzzard took off. |
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This photo was taken from the car. The grey and rainy weather must have made the approach easier. We will just regret a little the orientation of the head of the Common Buzzard which could have smiled at the photographer at the time of the photo. |
André Bon April 2024