Hawks and eagles
Common Buzzard
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Buteo buteo
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Voice
Call
Sonothèque ADVL
Alarm
Sonothèque ADVL
Call
Fiete Nörenberg
How to recognize it
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Medium-large raptor, compact build, rounded head
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Broad wings; when perched, tips reach to or slightly short of tail
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Underwing shows pale patches; plumage varies from pale buff to dark brown
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Nasal, cat-like mewing call
About the species
The Common Buzzard stands out as a fairly large, very variable raptor. In everyday life it comes across as a solid shape with broad wings and a fairly short tail, usually calm and unhurried rather than flashy.
It often sits in the open on a tree top, pole, or rock, watching for movement below. When it hunts, it usually drops from a perch instead of making a dramatic chase, and its voice is a nasal mewing call that can carry quite a distance.
It favors the meeting point of woodland and open ground, especially edges, shelterbelts, parks, and farmland with trees. It mainly takes small mammals, but also small passerines, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and carrion in some areas; many populations stay year-round, while northern ones move south for winter.
Where to find
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On the edge of mature city parks with big old trees — the Common Buzzard often perches motionless on the treetop, scanning for prey.
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Along canal banks, pond edges, and weedy river margins — especially where a patch of open grass sits beside the water, from which it lifts off and soars low.
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On the city fringe where lawns, vacant lots, or open fields meet scattered trees, watch for a slow circling glide and a plaintive call overhead.
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In winter and on migration, look on poles, lamp posts, and rooftop corners near roads — a favourite high perch for hunting.
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Buteo buteo Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Common buzzard Encyclopedia article