Common Buzzard

Buteo buteo

Family: Kites, Old World Vultures, Eagles, and Hawks · Status: Uncommon migrant · Size: 39–47 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Widespread breeder across the Palearctic, and winters to southern Africa and Asia.

Identification

The Buteo buzzards present a stocky body and broad wings when in flight. Difficult to distinguish from Eastern Buzzard, but said to be darker brown overall, with dark carpal patch not contrasting with the rest of the wing as strongly. Can come in three distinct morphs: brown, rufous and dark. Brown morph with solid, brown wing lining and often possessing a pale breast 'belt' that separates the dark plumage of the belly from the strong upper breast streaking; tail also strongly barred. Rufous morph has dark brown underparts of brown morph replaced by warm rufous brown and less distinct tail barring. Dark morph has blackish-brown body plumage with pale flight feathers and a dark trailing edge to the wing. Crested Honey Buzzard shows a small protruding head and longer tail; Changeable Hawk-Eagle is larger with a prominent crest; Jerdon's Baza has a long crest and strongly barred underparts.

Habitat

Open country; often observed at raptor migration sites.