Common buzzard: the bird profiles

What does the buzzard look like? And when is its breeding season? Here’s everything you should know about the common buzzard.

The buzzard (Buteo buteo) is the UK’s most common bird of prey. Perched on fences and stiles, or even circling overhead, these imposing hunters have been known to sit on crash barriers next to motorways. Read on to find out what exactly birds of prey hunt, how to recognise their call, and why common buzzards are such a fantastic bird!

Common buzzard: key facts

How to recognise the common buzzard

The buzzard is a compact bird of prey, which stands up to 56cm tall, and boasts a 130cm wingspan. Its strong, curved beak is yellow, with a black tip and its taloned feet are yellow, with black claws. Its plumage is usually patterned with varying proportions of grey-brown and white, such that some buzzards are exceptionally dark, and others are almost pure white.

From a distance, it is also possible to identify a buzzard from its flight pattern. Often circling overhead, the birds of prey are distinguished by their rounded tails and broad, rounded wings.

How to tell the difference between male and female buzzards

Male and female buzzards do not differ in colour, but the females are usually larger and heavier than the males. Unfortunately, this difference is slight, which makes it difficult to spot the difference.

How to recognise a young buzzard

As soon as they have left the nest, young buzzards look like their parents. You may notice, however, that unlike an adult, the underside of a juvenile buzzard’s wings and tail is not bordered with black.

How to recognise a buzzard egg

Buzzard eggs are about 5.5cm long, white, and occasionally dotted with a few fine brown speckles. A female usually lays between 2 and 3 eggs per clutch.

What is the perfect habitat for buzzards?

Buzzards tend to occupy semi-open land. That is, meadows, fields and heaths that are bordered with rich undergrowth. In particular, they enjoy small, wooded areas that are surrounded by open land. But don’t dismay if you live far from the country: buzzards have spread to towns and cities, where they breed in the tall trees of parks and cemeteries.

Where do buzzards build their nests?

Buzzards build their nests in the forks of strong coniferous and deciduous trees. The trees must be tall, as buzzards build their nests up to 25 metres from the ground. The nests are made of large and small branches and padded with leaves. Buzzards are happy to reuse old nests, and merely supplement them with more nesting material.

When is breeding season for buzzards?

Female buzzards lay their eggs between March and April and incubate them for up to 35 days. New hatchlings are fed in the nest by their parents for about 40 to 50 days, before they weigh enough to start attempting to fly. Young buzzards remain close to their nest for as many as 10 weeks, being supplied with food by their parents, before finally finding independence.

Where do buzzards spend winter?

UK buzzards are predominantly resident, remaining in their breeding grounds year-round and finding food even under thick blankets of snow.

What does a buzzard’s song sound like?

Buzzards have a very characteristic call. It consists of an elongated, pitch-dropping “pijaah”, reminiscent of a cat’s meow.

What do buzzards eat?

Buzzards feed mainly on field mice, but they are also partial to other small animals, such as lizards, frogs, smaller songbirds, and even worms. The birds often circle high above fields and meadows looking for prey. And even perched on stiles and fences, common buzzards have no trouble spotting prey; they are ready to strike at any time.

Another bird of prey that can be seen over fields and meadows is the kestrel. Have a read of our profile!