Wildlife
Buzzards are smaller than golden eagles but just as formidable as predators. These imposing hunters drop down on rabbits and small mammals from slow or hovering flight or from a perch. Having snatched their prey in powerful talons, they nearly always make their kill on the ground.
In recent years, the population of British buzzards has exploded, and now thrives in areas where there were once only a few, such as Cheshire, Northamptonshire and the Lothians. They inhabit forests and areas of scattered woodland. During the breeding season, buzzards perform spectacular aerial displays, circling high in the sky before tumbling down towards the ground.
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Food on the run
Buzzard use their phenomenal eyesight to hunt in daylight.
Buzzard use their phenomenal eyesight to hunt in daylight.
Buzzard catches the worm
Iolo Williams discovers the difficulties birds face in order to stay alive.
In this clip Iolo Williams looks at how buzzards not only hunt and scavenge their prey but also feed on earthworms.
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Common buzzard can be found in a number of locations including: Asia, China, Europe, Indian subcontinent, Mediterranean, Russia, United Kingdom, Wales, Ynys-hir nature reserve. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Common buzzard distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Least Concern
Year assessed: 2009
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a medium to large bird of prey, whose range covers most of Europe and extends into Asia. It is usually resident all year, except in the coldest parts of its range, and in the case of one subspecies.
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Ynys-hir Buzzards Springwatch pointed webcams at two tree-top buzzard nests.
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Mountain grassland
Broadleaf forest
Temperate grassland
Urban
Helpless young
Migration
Carnivorous
Courtship display
Adapted to flying
Acoustic communication
Maternal care
Egg layer
Predator
Scavenger