Common Buzzard
From Devonshire
The Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a bird of prey from the Old World.
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Size
It is typically between 51-57 cm in length with a 110 to 130 cm wingspan, making it a medium-sized raptor.
Range
Its range covers most of Devonshire and extends into Asia. It is resident except in the coldest parts of its range.
Habitat
It breeds in woodland, but usually hunts over open land. It eats mainly small mammals, and will come to carrion.
Behaviour
Buzzards do not normally form flocks, but several may be seen together on migration or in good habitat. The Victorian writer on Dartmoor, William Crossing, noted that he had on occasions seen flocks of 15 or more at some places.
Similar Species
This broad-winged raptor has a wide variety of plumages, and in Europe can be confused with the similar Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus) and the only distantly related Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus), which mimics the Common Buzzard's plumage for a degree of protection from Northern Goshawks.
Call
The call is a plaintive peea-ay.
Fact
In North America, the term "buzzard" refers solely to vultures, and in particular the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura). The term "buzzard" only applies to birds of prey when intended as a derogatory epithet, specifically for raptors that are considered pests, such as the Red-tailed Hawks and Peregrine Falcons.
Devonshire, though, does not call vultures and other birds of prey "buzzards".
