Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo
Also known as: Eurasian Buzzard
The Common Buzzard (*Buteo buteo*) is one of the most widespread and numerous birds of prey in the UK and Europe. A medium-to-large raptor with broad, rounded wings and a short neck, it is a master of soaring flight often seen circling on thermals above woodlands and farmland. Its plumage varies greatly from pale cream to dark brown, making individual birds highly distinctive. The buzzard's mewing call, reminiscent of a cat, is one of the most evocative sounds of the British countryside.
Did you know?
The Common Buzzard's mewing cry is so similar to a cat that it inspired the old English name 'puttock', and many people mistake it for a larger eagle.Common Buzzard Quick Facts
Detailed Information on the Common Buzzard
Weight 0.9 kg
Height 54 cm
Length 54 cm
Wingspan 122 cm
Top Speed 65 km/h
Social Structure: Solitary or pairs
Activity Pattern: Diurnal
Trophic Level: Carnivore
Migration: Partial migrant
Population Trend: Increasing
Main Threats:
- Illegal persecution
- Habitat loss
- Rodenticide poisoning
Welsh uplands
Scottish Highlands
South West England
Family: Accipitridae
Order: Accipitriformes
